AN originating summons, relative to Election Day certificates of employment, was filed by Senior Counsel Ashton Chase on Monday and the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) is presently awaiting word from the Acting Chief Justice, Ian Chang.The Commission’s legal officer, Ms Juanita Barker, told the Guyana Chronicle that the court was approached for a definitive pronouncement, given the call for the certificates to be issued to a wide cross- section of E-Day staffers.
She said, “We are seeking an interpretation of article 162:1B of the Representation of the People’s Act. It would determine whether GECOM has authority to issue certificates of employment outside of what is stated in the law.
“Currently, the law states that certificates of employment can be issued to election officials only – meaning the Chief Elections Officer, the Deputy Chief Elections Officer, the Returning Officers, the Deputy Returning Officers, Election Clerks, Presiding Officers, Assistant Presiding Officers and polls clerks. Members of the disciplined services who are working on Election Day are also issued with certificates of employment.”
Additionally, GECOM Chairman Dr Steve Surujbally, assured that the Commission decided to go the “route of the law” to ensure that the Commission has a legally binding position on the matter of issuance of Certificates of Employment.
“We are seeking legal advice from Chief Justice and legal luminaries to have greater clarity,” he said.
Enquiries on the matter were first raised by the alliance of A Partnership for National Unity and the Alliance For Change (AFC). (Vanessa Narine)