WHILE a date has not yet been announced for the holding of Local Government Elections (LGE), Chairman of the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM), Justice (ret’d) James Patterson assured that preparations are well underway.

Speaking with Guyana Chronicle on Wednesday, Justice Patterson said, “Preparations are going very good.” He noted that while there was a lapse for a number of years in the holding of LGE, elections were held two years ago. As such, the GECOM Chair said, “it therefore follows that we have a plank on which to stand.” Before last year, LGE was held in 1994.

He praised his staff and told this publication that given their experience, pre-planning for the upcoming elections, has started. “I have an experienced cadre of administrators and technicians and we have started pre-planning for that already, though the precise date would emerge subsequently,” said Justice Patterson.

Minister of Communities Ronald Bulkan earlier this year disclosed that LGE will take place during the latter part of this year. The minister reportedly said the LGE will take place sometime between November and December. When elections are held this year, it will also mark history as the first time since the country’s post-independence that consecutive local government elections would be taking place when due. Some $2.9B has been allocated for the holding of LGE.

Meanwhile, Justice Patterson told Guyana Chronicle that the date for the beginning of GECOM’s continuous registration exercise will be disclosed after the Commission meets next Tuesday. He said however, that his staff has started to prepare for that process.

Additionally, given the recent advertisements in the local media for several senior posts within the Commission, the GECOM Chair said while his work or that of the Commission’s is not necessarily hindered by the absence of persons to fill the advertised portfolios, the posts should be filled immediately. GECOM has advertised for a Deputy Chief Election Officer, Assistant Chief Election Officer, Information Technology Manager, Civic and Voter Education Manager, Public Relations Officer, Research and Planning Officer, and Legal Officer or Secretary to the Commission.

“The vacancies we have would not have any negative impact on our current operations because we have been getting by without them for some time. It is just that if they were in place, we would have been better,” said Justice Patterson.

He noted, however, that there should be at the very least a legal officer stationed at the Commission. “I have some concerns that there was not a legal officer in-house and I invite as much applicants who are qualified to have a go,” he stated. While he was unsure of the exact period to which GECOM did not have an in-house attorney, the GECOM Chair said, “There must be some reason for them not having one.” Having legal experience himself, Justice Patterson said there is a great need for an attorney to be hired.

Notwithstanding, he is optimistic that with the series of advertisements, the Commission would soon be able to fill the existing vacancies. “We are looking to take on persons as soon as possible,” he said noting that the decision in this regard does not rest solely with him. It is the Commission that makes a collective decision. When asked how he has settled in so far in his post as GECOM chair, Justice Patterson responded, “The prognostication of gloom and doom has not arrived.”

There was much controversy and opposition about his appointment with the Opposition People’s Progressive Party (PPP) objecting strongly to President David Granger’s decision to appoint him.

Justice Patterson was appointed in October 2017.