A UNITED Nations Development Programme (UNDP) team on Thursday met with Attorney General (AG) Basil Williams on a request made by GECOM for provision of technical assistance in preparation for the 2018 Local Government Elections and 2020 General Elections in Guyana.

A release said the UN team consisted of Hassan Sesay (Senior Electoral/Political Affairs Officer), Fernanda Lopes (Election/Governance Expert) and Guillermo Kendall (Senior Political Affairs Officer).

The aim of the visit was to discuss with the attorney general the purpose of the Needs Assessment Mission (NAM) whose functions are to evaluate the current and electoral environment in Guyana, and assess the form of future UN electoral assistance.
The NAM will recommend the type of assistance that should be provided and the parameters, including the length of assistance, and modalities that will govern such assistance.

The discussion covered a spectrum of issues that will be dealt with in preparation for the local government and the general elections. Those issues include the tabulation of results process; developing the necessary software to expedite the process; the biometric instrument used at polling stations; verifications of electoral listings; and to ensure security at the polling stations.

UNDP will render support and guidelines in those capacities and where else necessary. At the end of the visit, a report will be prepared with recommendations which will be submitted to UNDP Guyana.

The minister guarantees his support in this process between GECOM and UNDP. The meeting was also attended by Ministry of Legal Affairs Chief Parliamentary Council, Charles Fung-a-Fatt SC; Joann Bond; Solicitor General Kim Kyte; State Solicitor, Ayana Mc Calmon; and Legislative Dafting Consultant, Ananda Dhurjon.