CONCERNS have been raised by the Clement Rohee, General Secretary of the incumbent Party, over what he termed “significant shortages” of polling day staff engaged by the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM), in several regions, including 1 (Barima/ Waini) and 6 (East Berbice/ Corentyne).“The Party urges GECOM to re-open the process to allow for submission of applications by persons who are qualified and desirous of working. Situations like this can lead to the ‘relaxing’ of requirements, accepting second choices and hand picking, which the PPP is totally against, since it may have dire consequences to the integrity of the electoral process,” Rohee said.

However, when pressed, the People’s Progressive Party (PPP) General Secretary maintained its call for public vetting of staff.

The argument from GECOM that public vetting could affect the Commission’s ability to attract polling day staff, according to him, is not “convincing” enough a reason for the PPP to abandon its position.

Rohee said, “This call is not intended in any way to rob anyone of any opportunity but to build public trust and confidence in GECOM’s machinery.
“Time and again, flaws and inconsistencies have marred our elections, especially by unqualified and biased polling day staff. The PPP views this as an appropriate and proactive step in having a transparent, free and fair election, and yet again strengthen our democracy.”
NO SHORTAGE
GECOM Chairman, Dr. Steve Surujbally, in an invited response, was emphatic in his assurance that there is no shortfall in staff.
“We have the numbers,” he stressed.
According to the Commission, an estimated 12,000 workers will be needed and one month ago GECOM was 1,623 workers short of filling that quota.
The Commission had approached educational institutions to recommend potential polling day staff.
Also, since last September, GECOM has been engaged in training of polling day staff, an undertaking that commenced with the intention of creating a ‘reservoir of resources’ that can be utilised when the time comes.
Yesterday, Dr. Surujbally made it clear that the Commission is currently striving to have more than necessary for polling day staff, in the event of unforeseen circumstances or in the event that employees renege on their promise to work with GECOM.\
Additionally, GECOM has committed to having the full complement of polling day staff engaged in refresher training, which will include conducting ‘mock’ polls, one month before May 11.
Surujbally also disagreed with Rohee’s position on public vetting.
The GECOM Chairman assured that the Commission recognises the role of stakeholders in the electoral process and restated the body’s commitment to address any concerns that are communicated to GECOM. (Vanessa Narine)