Dear Editor,
I OFTEN wonder if public figures in Guyana do not fear being exposed for their duplicity. It is really funny how some people change their tune depending on which side of the fence they find themselves. Reports in the press, attributed to the former chairman of GECOM Dr. Steve Surujbally as now saying, that house to house registration is not life and death at this time – fair enough. But Mr. Surujbally more than most, should be aware that the current list of electors is quite inflated, he should also know, that given our young population, we need to include as many youth as possible in one of the foundations of democratic processes i.e. voting for representatives of their choosing.

HOUSE TO HOUSE REGISTRATION WOULD ENHANCE AND ENCOURAGE THIS PROCESS.
Editor, I remember that ahead of the 2006 General Elections, and after the then opposition commissioner Haslyn Parris had resigned from GECOM, in protest due to the unwillingness of the PPP to have the voters list verified, and with the then opposition having only two commissioners – Robert Williams and Lloyd Joseph, Mr. Surujbally seemed to be comfortable with the then government having its way, and went into those elections with the then opposition (now government) only having two commissioners.

Editor, back in 2006, the sanctity of the list was in question and now it is also. The PPP wants to use a list that seems favourable to them given the recent local government elections (LGEs). In both of these occasions we see Mr. Surujbally favouring the PPP position. Serious questions must be asked about Mr. Surujbally’s tenure at the helm of GECOM. The media must play its role. The public must demand the minutes of the GECOM meetings leading up to the 2006 elections, so that the duplicity of some public figures is laid bare for the nation to see.

There is a need for the minutes of the GECOM meetings before the announcement of the 2006 results to be made public. I support the call by Mr. Vincent Alexander for a new house to house registration exercise. This has been budgeted for, and GECOM should begin immediately in order to lay the foundation for elections that are not only free and fair, but enjoy the confidence of the public at large.

Regards,
George Williams