Chair of the Guyana Elections Commission(GECOM), Justice Claudette Singh,is expected to pronounce on a timeline for the holding of Regional and General Elections on Thursday.

According to a press release issued by GECOM this evening, Justice Singh will communicate her pronouncement with President David Granger on Thursday, in accordance with the mandate of the commission.

The body noted that its commissioners met on Tuesday and after much deliberations, it was agreed that Commissioners Charles Corbin and Sase Gunraj submit schedules based on proposals made during the meeting.

However, on Wednesday when the body met, Gunraj failed to honour the obligation.In addition, Gunraj along with Commissioners Bibi Shadick and Robeson Benn insisted on a November 2019 date for the holding of elections although the trio failed to submit a work plan to illustrate how they arrived at the date insisted upon.

On the other hand, GECOM said Corbon submitted a comprehensive work plan with timeline and these were was based on Tuesday’s meeting.

The electoral body said Justice Singh undertook to study Corbin’s submission, consult with the GECOM Secretariat and make a decision on the way forward based on the information submitted.

President Granger on Monday maintained that it is the exclusive responsibility of GECOM to conduct General and Regional Elections here under the constitution and this responsibility is safeguarded against political interference.

He was keen on noting that the elections commission is insulated from political influence, instruction or interference, and its independence is safeguarded by the Constitution.

GECOM’s Secretariat has proposed a March 2020 election timeline, but the Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo has rejected such a proposal. He has threatened widespread protest action after September 18, 2019, if a 2019 date for elections is not set.

But an electoral expert said that Jagdeo and the People’s Progressive Party (PPP) have adopted an irrational position.

It was explained that the Elections Commission, as advised by the secretariat, must act in conformity with the Constitution of Guyana, the Elections Laws (Amendment) Act of 2000 and Representation of the People Act.