Dear Editor
PLEASE allow me to respond to an article in the Guyana Chronicle headline: “I’m eager to get out of GECOM.”The said headline does not entirely reflect how I feel about demitting the Office of the GECOM Chairman. Although I recognise that the time has come for me to leave, the departure is accompanied by a heavy heart. Over the more than 15 years at the helm, I have established a close linkage with the staff of GECOM, many of whom have evolved into more than colleagues; rather, they have become friends and, in some cases, “family” away from home.
Together, we have withstood the perennial onslaughts; we have spent many a long day/night trying to solve difficult situations, while countering intransigent and acerbic stakeholders and assuaging their tempers; we have literally traversed the highways and by-ways of this beautiful country of ours carrying the civic message about elections; and together we have eradicated (hopefully forever) the widespread turbulence associated with elections previous to the last 15 years.
I do have other things planned for the rest of my life, and I am “eager” to begin these undertakings. However, that step will never negate the wonderfully fulfilling experiences I have had with the team which I was privileged and honoured to lead.
Regards
Dr Steve Surujbally
Chairman of Guyana Elections Commission