THE serious inclement weather and unbelievable flooding is creating havoc in our communities. Hence, the holding of Local Government Elections so as to strengthen local democracy and bring about better quality leaders at the Neighbourhood Democratic level is imperative. Many more mature and experienced persons are showing interest in public and civil activities. Guyana is on the rise and our democracy must prevail.

The massive defeat at the 2016 and 2018 Local Government Elections will continue, as the APNU+PNC is doomed to be humiliated. All eyes are on GECOM and they are under serious scrutiny to prepare fully and hold free and fair elections. GECOM is on trial to conduct free and fair elections and their administrators have created such a stony, thorn-filled path with respect to any evaluation for the continuation of the ‘trio” to be at GECOM. Hence, GECOM must immediately get rid of all the staff members who are before the courts for fraud and mis-conduct at the 2020 National and Regional Elections.

Significantly, GECOM has unanimously decided to send Chief Election Officer (CEO), Keith Lowenfield; Deputy Chief Election Officer (DCEO), Roxanne Myers and Region Four Returning Officer Clairmont Mingo on leave, pending a decision on a proposal on whether a tribunal will investigate the serious accusations against them. The Chairperson of GECOM must be fully aware of the fact that the commission has the power and authority to deal with any insubordination, dishonesty and fraud at the commission. The proposal by Alexander and his support team for the survival of the ‘rogue’ staff must not be condoned.

GECOM must understand that the unacceptable and un-pardonable sins that were committed by staff at GECOM has caused a total loss of public confidence and public trust in the electoral process. As GECOM now prepares for the holding of Local Government Elections, the commission must put on the agenda preparations and plans for the holding of elections this year. Further, they are many others who are before the court and many others who are guilty of being a part of the attempts to derail and rig the National and Regional Elections. Hence, all eyes are on them and the hiring of staff for future elections must be done in a transparent manner and with persons with integrity.

GECOM must deal with these issues and persons swiftly. They have all been accused of failing, neglecting and abdicating their functions, duties and responsibilities to ensure compliance with the provisions of the Constitution and the electoral framework and the very essential criteria of impartiality, transparency, fairness and credibility to the operations of the commission and its secretariat. The underperformance, the deliberate attempts to do skullduggery and the fact that they committed all their dirty work in the eyes of our entire population and the imminent international observers are enough evidence for the commission to deal condignly with all the fraudsters. Further, there are staff members before the court facing criminal charges and the nation’s expectations are high that they will be dealt with severely. Their punishment must be a deterrent to any further attempt to rig elections in this country.

Yours sincerely,
Neil Kumar