WITH one day left before Guyana’s next Regional and General Election, President Donald Ramotar took time out yesterday to meet with members of the Private Sector Commission (PSC).
During the meeting which was held at the Office of the President, the PSC members were given the opportunity to raise concerns relating to the upcoming elections. According to President Ramotar, the private sector did raise some concerns, and questions all related to the elections. They will be meeting with the APNU/AFC coalition to have further discussion.
Meanwhile Chairman of the PSC, Ramesh Persaud, said the meeting was a part of the private sector role in observing the election as they have been meeting various stakeholders.
“We met with the President and his team of people to discuss any challenges that they may have concerning the elections, so far we are very pleased with the level of preparation by GECOM.”
According to Mr. Persaud, some minor concerns were raised but he was not prepared to divulge them, only stating that they will be meeting with both GECOM and the APNU/AFC coalition before Monday.
“Our only concern is we have seen political parties set the stage in their campaign rhetoric and the parties’ willingness to accept the results. The systems of GECOM are good, the staff of GECOM needs to deliver on the systems that were designed.”
The Chairman, as well as the Vice Chairman, Edward Boyer, conceded that the meeting went very well.
Boyer said, “I would like to endorse the fact that we have been meeting with the other stakeholders, and then I think we will have a conclusion, we want a free and fair election, we want to show the world that we are a people, a nation.”
Boyer also called on citizens to be responsible by going out to vote and returning to their homes in a peaceful manner.