PRESIDENT Donald Ramotar has made it clear that the current administration is ready for elections “like yesterday”.

Last Friday, he stressed that the resignation of Mr Ganga Persaud as Minister of Local Government and Regional Development will not affect the hosting of local government elections.
Public Relations Officer of the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM), Mr Vishnu Persaud, told the Guyana Chronicle that the Commission already has a workplan in place to facilitate the hosting of local government elections, once it is called; but GECOM would need six months’ notice to get that plan operational.
Asked about the status of the continuous registration process, Persaud noted that the last cycle was completed in December. “The sixth cycle is likely to commence in March,” he said.

NEW CEO
A major component for the hosting of local government elections is the appointment of a Chief Elections Officer.
The GECOM PRO explained that, to date, the short-listing of applicants has been completed, but the Commission is yet to meet for the new year to hold detailed discussion on the appointment of a new chief elections officer. However, he said, the substantive post has attracted several applications.
The post of Chief Elections Officer became vacant after GECOM declined to renew the contract of Mr Gocool Boodhoo following concerns raised by the Opposition over a computing mistake that was made in the allocation of seats in the 2011 elections. The mistake had been rectified. Also, Boodhoo’s late submission of notice of his intent to seek renewal of his contract affected his prospects of being reappointed to the position.
GECOM invited applicants to apply for the position last August, giving them until the end of September to submit their applications.
The Chief Election Officer is required to play the key leadership role in the Secretariat of the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM). This individual has responsibility for implementing all aspects of the GECOM operations, and for ensuring that results achieved are consistent with the laws of Guyana and the policies determined by the Chairman and the Commissioners.
The Chief Election Officer acts as GECOM’s primary point of contact with staff members of the Secretariat, whose activities include processing of registrants; distribution of ID Cards; and providing information and guidance on electoral operational matters to community organisations and other stakeholders.
The Chief Elections Officer would also be required to represent the GECOM’s policies and activities in interactions with stakeholders and other interest groups, including political parties, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), donor and international agencies, in matters relating directly to the operations of GECOM.
Among those applying for the position of GECOM’s Chief Elections Officer are acting Chief Elections Officer Mr Calvin Benn, and Acting Deputy Chief Elections Officer Mr Keith Lowenfield.
Local government elections are expected to be held in the third quarter of 2014. Local government elections were not held in Guyana since 1994. Prior to that, local government elections were last held in 1970.
Subsequent to 1994, the elections could not be conducted because they coincided with the general and regional elections of 1997.

(By Vanessa Narine)