THE state of preparedness of the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) for the conduct of Local Government Elections was discussed between Dr Steve Surujbally, Chairman of GECOM and H.E. Mr Perry Halloway, Ambassador of the United States of America to Guyana.The discussions took place during a courtesy call which the ambassador paid on Dr. Surujbally on Tuesday, November 17, 2015. Ambassador Halloway was accompanied by Mr. Bryan Hunt,

Chargé d’affaires of the U.S. Embassy.
A statement from GECOM said during the discussions, Dr Surujbally highlighted specific areas in which assistance could possibly be provided through the U.S. Embassy, relative to the conduct of local government elections. The areas include Civic and Voter Education, preparation of relevant signage, procurement of equipment, establishment of a Media Centre for the elections, and the establishment of a specialised course in elections management at the University of Guyana. With respect to the latter, Dr Surujbally explained that such a course would be geared to deliver a pool of knowledgeable personnel to which GECOM would have access when seeking to hire competent persons to work during election projects.
Responding to Dr Surujbally’s identification of the areas delineated above, Ambassador Halloway undertook to collaborate with the other members among the International Development Partners to determine how to assist GECOM relative to the areas suggested by the GECOM Chairman. He did point out however, that at this point in time, big projects such the establishment of a Media Centre for the elections and the establishment of a specialised course in elections management cannot be undertaken.