…and questions dismissal of Voter Education Manager Ramlall

THE People’s Progressive Party (PPP) has written to Chairman of the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) objecting to the appointment of Richard Francois as Public Relations Officer, and is awaiting “firm and decisive” action in this regard.The PPP said so in a statement yesterday as it noted the party’s concerns over GECOM’s seemingly “flawed and secretive employment policy.”
In such organisations, transparency and accountability are critical in safeguarding its own integrity and the country’s democracy, the party observed, and hence it is expected that those placed in charge of these organisations will adopt near flawless practices and policies that will be bi-partisan in nature, and involves the major stakeholders in decision making.
The PPP has publicly objected to the appointment of Francois, premised mainly on the fact that he has been openly supportive of the Opposition and had previously used his position and authority to display “biased” action against leading members of the PPP.
The PPP said Francois’ FaceBook page can verify these claims, along with the numerous anti-PPP articles published in the Kaieteur News in his name.
“The track record of Mr. Francois speaks volume on his lack of professionalism and association with the Opposition. The PPP is fully aware that every Guyanese has a right to favour a political party, but we are also aware that an organisation like GECOM and the position he holds comes with responsibility and fairness. We are not confident that the nation will be fed with accurate and reliable information under Mr. Francois’s watch.”
The PPP said it finds surprising, too, the sacking of Voter education Manager, Deolall Ramlall without justification. “Mr. Ramlall has years of experience in electioneering, and with the appointment of a new CEO and DCEO one would have expected that his experience would have been necessary and vital, especially with the possibility of an early elections. One is therefore, left to wonder the motive of GECOM’s action and the rationale behind these decisions,” the party said.

(BY Telesha Ramnarine)