– Hicken visits key sites

WITH Nomination Day for Local Government Elections (LGE) approaching, Police ‘A’ Division Commander Clifton Hicken and a team of officers visited several sites on Saturday to ensure adequate security arrangements are in place.The Hicken Team visited LGE sites located at the Luckhoo Building on Waterloo Street, then went to the following East Bank Demerara Neighbourhood Democratic Council (NDC) offices: Eccles/Ramsburg at Providence Stadium; Herstelling/ Little Diamond at Farm; Mocha-Arcadia; New Diamond/Grove Primary School; Caledonia/Good Success; and Soesdyke/Coverden.
On Nomination Day, Tuesday, nominations and subsequent elections will be held at 71 locations. The activity will not be a central one, as is done for General and Regional Elections.

Assisting with the coordination and site visits were Senior Superintendent Ian Amsterdam, Senior Superintendent R. Dass, Superintendent K. Parsram, Deputy Superintendent Anthony Vanderhyden and Deputy Superintendent Ramesh Ashram.

Assistant Commissioner Hicken also made visits to sites set up by the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM). There, he spoke to Returning Officers and various officials on the issue of 24/7 security and duties of the police at the various sites, and issues relating to procedural operations at various sites.

Hicken said there will be no tolerance for uncivilized behaviour or compromise in security protocols at the sites. He enquired of GECOM staff their need for security, and discussed various arrangements that would assist them in executing their respective duties according to the law.

The Guyana Police Force is appealing to the public for patience and assistance during the LGE phase. In accordance with the statutory requirements of Local Government Elections (LGE), 103 individuals, voluntary groups and political parties have indicated an interest in participating in the March 18, 2016 polls, according to GECOM Chief Elections Officer Keith Lowenfield. These elections were last held in Guyana in 1994.

The Municipal and District Councils and Local Authorities (Amendment) Bill was passed last month in the National Assembly. It amends the Municipal and District Councils Act, Chapter 28:01, to provide clarity on its application with respect to the new local government system.

The legislation also amends the Local Authorities (Elections) Act, Chapter 28:03, to ensure consistency in its application, as obtains in the Municipal and District Councils Act.

(Rabindra Rooplall)