By Svetlana Marshall

THE People’s Progressive Party (PPP) is calling for the immediate removal of Dr Steve Surujbally from the chairmanship of the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM), even as it questions Government’s silence on his decision to demit office later this year.The calls and concerns were raised on Thursday by Bibi Shadick, Robeson Benn and Sase Gunraj – the GECOM Commissioners representing the interest of the Opposition.

Addressing reporters at Freedom House, Benn, a former PPP Minister, said Dr Surujbally should be immediately removed from office over his inability or unwillingness to hold statutory meetings with the commissioners and by extension his perceived failure to be answerable to the commissioners.

“Going forward I don’t think that the Chairman has any locus standi anymore at GECOM. I think he should go now, I think he should go now, if he is unwilling to hold meetings where questions can be put and we don’t have answers, that the Commission is in default of its responsibility and of its activities,” Benn contended.

It was explained that while Dr Surujbally has been on leave since August 30, he has been in office regularly conducting meetings with the Chief Elections Officer, Keith Lowenfield and other officials, but has not opted to hold statutory meetings with the commissioners.

According to Benn, GECOM is a “badly run” and “dysfunctional” organization, which is being stymied by the Chairman, particularly in the area of governance.

Benn was strongly supported by Shadick, who complained bitterly about the conduct of the chairman of the Commission.

Referencing an article in the Guyana Chronicle entitled “Chairman of the Guyana Elections Commission, Dr Steve Surujbally writes Gov’t on retirement,” Shadick questioned Government’s silence on the issue.

She recalled that the Chairman, Dr Surujbally, had called on the Leader of the Opposition, Bharrat Jagdeo several weeks ago, during which he indicated that he would be proceeding on leave and demitting office on November 30.

During that meeting, the Opposition Leader was reportedly told that President David Granger was also informed.

NO COMMUNICATION
However, Shadick noted that the Opposition Leader has not seen a copy of the Chairman’s resignation nor has he received any communication from the President’s Office advising him of the imminent retirement of the Chairman of GECOM.

In a statement that followed the press conference, the PPP said: “This formal communication from the President to the Leader of the Opposition is an essential and initial step in the selection of the new chairman. The Leader of the Opposition plays a critical role in accordance with Article 161(2) in the nomination of six names to the President from which the President selects and appoints the chairman.”

According to the Constitution, the Chairman of the Elections Commission must be appointed by the President from a list of six persons, not unacceptable to the President, submitted by the Leader of the Opposition after meaningful consultation with the non-governmental political parties represented in the National Assembly.

According to the PPP, if the content of the article is true, and the Chairman has indeed resigned, then there should have been a formal public announcement by the Ministry of the Presidency.

“According to sources, Government has made it clear to Dr Surujbally that effective on the day of him demitting office will be the date of the assumption of office, (swearing in of the new chairman).

Additionally, Government has insisted that all arrangements and decisions be made to ensure that the secretariat is stable and that the work programme of the Commission continues seamlessly,” Shadick said as she quoted sections of the article from the Guyana Chronicle.

On this note, she questioned whether the position highlighted in the article is an indication that Dr Surujbally would be required to remain in office until these conditions are met.

“Maybe this explains why the Government has made no public announcement of the Chairman’s retirement from office and the date from which this will come into effect, nor approached the Leader of the Opposition to submit his six names ‘not unacceptable to the President’ in accordance with Article 161(2).”

Shadick also complained bitterly over the fact that the Chairman and the Chief Elections Officer are on leave but continue to frequent the secretariat.

F GRADE
Additionally, Shadick gave herself, and that of the other PPP Commissioners an ‘F’ grade for their failure to execute their duties in keeping with the oath of office.

“Today I am saying to Guyana and the constituents who I was asked to represent there, whose interest I was asked to represent, I have failed in the oath that I took to represent (the) people,” the PPP Commissioner said.

Shadick explained at length that Article 161 A (1) requires the Commission to oversee the functioning of the secretariat. According to her, when questions are put to the chairman and chief elections officer, commissioners are ever so often met with a brick wall.

“We meet a brick wall every time we ask a question, concerning personnel staff at GECOM,” she complained.

According to Shadick, it is the high level of secrecy at GECOM that has led to the distrust.

“Even lodges give out more information that GECOM does and lodges are secret organisations. When people distrust GECOM they have a right,” the PPP commissioner contended.