Dear Editor,
THERE are some decisive indicators that the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) is activating welcomed activities in preparation for Local Government Elections (LGEs). This move follows a protracted period of public apprehension associated with numerous efforts by the main political opposition led by the PNCR, to first change the ‘Continuous Registration’ approach for updating the Register of Registrants, thereby realising further delays.

The necessary move to ensure that Guyanese are fully prepared and registered to go to the polls for Local Government Elections later this year is on the way. A recent GECOM press release confirmed commencement of the Continuous Registration exercise from Monday, March 7, 2022, following the established precedent within the legally approved framework. Of course, the network of GECOM offices countrywide was created to support this mechanism over the years and must be fully utilised. Consequently, the advantage of convenience to citizens nationally should complement genuine efforts to get all Guyanese who are of age, to get on the Register of Registrants.

Significantly, this registration exercise is very important to those young persons who would be first-time applicants in the 14 to 18 years’ age group. While held continuous exercises would have allowed persons to be registered, GECOM’s cancellation of the 2019 House-to-House Registration impacted many young persons who were registered during the exercise. Hence, this registration exercise will target the updating of all persons who will be 14 years and older by October 31,, 2022. This is providing they qualify as Guyanese citizens by birth, descent, naturalisation, or is a citizen of a Commonwealth country and have been living in Guyana for one year or more,

There are currently 28 permanent GECOM Registration Offices located in the 10 administrative regions of Guyana. It is anticipated that GECOM will take advantage of this structure in promoting the necessary voters’ awareness and registration education exercise. Mobile and sub-offices complementary interventions will also have to be put in place to enhance ease of access by unregistered persons affected by difficult terrain. Our citizens must also be proactive in ensuring the readiness of their original birth certificates, valid passports, adoption, or naturalisation certificates in supporting applications for new registration.

It must be noted that for a change of name after marriage, applicants must have an original marriage certificate. Applicants must also bear in mind that with the massive housing drive by the PPP/C government, citizens who have established new residences should also take care of their transfers which will strengthen the respective community representation in the areas where they now reside, making it easier for them to exercise their rights on voting day.

Given the COVID-19 pandemic, it is understandable that GECOM is asking that all applicants provide proof of having been fully vaccinated against COVID-19 to gain entrance to the respective GECOM Registration Offices. It follows that those persons who for different reasons did not take their vaccines will have to produce a negative PCR test taken within 72 hours.

These upcoming LGEs will be the first elections conducted by GECOM under a revised internal structure, given the removal of personnel against whom widespread evidence justified were involved in the clandestine attempts to rig the March 2020 General and Regional Elections. As Guyana celebrates its replacements and recognises the efforts of the commission to cleanse the organisation, there is more to be done towards genuine efforts to ensure the holding of free and fair elections.

The APNU+AFC and the PNC must produce their Statements of Polls from the 2020 General and Regional Elections. Further, GECOM must produce the reports of all the Returning Officers and the CEO to inform a proper assessment of all the incidents that took place during the five months. This column encourages all Guyanese to do their best to get on the Register of Registrants.

Yours sincerely,
Neil Kumar