Dear Editor,
THE Local Government Elections (LGEs) are overdue and the present continuous registration exercise is certainly the most acceptable, transparent, and balanced approach to updating the Register of Registrants (RoR). It guarantees the holding of the LGEs this year and must be supported! The utter nonsense that we are hearing from Opposition quarters about the voters list must not be condoned nor be the problem of the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM).

There is rich and valuable precedence in the use of the continuous-registration approach that is empowered by a foundational legal position. Section 6(1) of the National Registration Act Cap. 19.08 states: “It shall be lawful for the Commission by order from time to time to appoint a date with reference to which persons to whom the order applies shall be registered, a day on which the registration of such persons upon their application therefore pursuant to the order shall begin and a day on which such registration shall end.”

Contextually, the elections commission shall use the official list of electors from the 2001 General and Regional Elections as the base to commence continuous registration. Hence, our country has been using the accepted process to update the RoR and prepare the appropriate voters list.

The provocateurs in the PNC who are always afraid to face the electorate have always made excuses and played the blame game regarding the voters list to dodge LGEs. Their adoption of myriad approaches has always been of convenience, directed solely towards the paramount benefit of the PNC, while sacrificing balance, transparency and fairness.

It is factual that when the APNU+AFC assumed power in 2015, they quickly went to Parliament and adjusted legislation to affirm that the continuous-registration process as the mechanism to update the Register of Registrants must be conducted twice yearly, for six-month periods. The duplicitous behaviour of the PNCR as the leading force in the APNU+AFC main Opposition has no boundaries. Our nation would recall that while they are always opposing the holding of LGEs under successive PPP/C governments, they quickly held LGEs in 2016 and again in 2018, using the same process and the same continuous-registration process and list.

Now that GECOM has commenced this continuous registration cycle, no traction must be given to the foolhardy attempts at further delays from the APNU+AFC cabal. It is without a shred of decency that some of their representatives still attempt to defend the indefensible rigging. We are living the sad and shameful memories of the 2020 five torturous months of all-out attempts to change the results of the National and Regional Elections.

Our Guyanese citizens must, therefore, support and make sure that our democracy prevails as GECOM moves forward to hold LGEs.

Editor, the process must be carefully put to ensure that our citizenry fully understands the dynamics and guard against any camouflaged impropriety. Please permit me to highlight and make the clarion call for all persons to whom the continuous registration order applies, to visit the GECOM offices around the country and get registered. Among the ‘New Registrants’ category, young people who were born on or before October 31, 2018, or who will be (14) years old and over by October 31, 2022, qualify. They must have their original birth certificates or valid Guyana Passport when visiting the GECOM offices. In addition, an original Deed Poll, along with his/her original birth certificate is required in cases where a name change will be used that is different from the names stated on the birth certificate.

Because of the massive PPP/C Government housing drive and development across the country, many persons are now living in new local government constituencies that are different from where they were first registered. It is appropriate and necessary for these persons to present their identification cards to the officials at GECOM offices covering their area of residence, in support of their application to be transferred to the constituency where they now reside. This should also make it easier for voting on polling day.

Transfers will be facilitated during this continuous period, providing the applicants give the information regarding where they were registered and where they voted in the previous elections. Transfers are recommended as they also allow persons the opportunity to play a real role in their immediate community development at the levels of municipalities, Neighbourhood Democratic Councils and Village Councils.

Corrections to registration particulars are changes that are also updated during this cycle. Categories such as incorrect spelling of a name(s), wrong date of birth, and incorrect gender can be corrected. To do so, the applicants must submit, original birth certificate and ID cards.

Persons could also apply for replacement ID cards if they have lost their original ID cards. In this case, applicants are required to fill (complete) a copy of the Statutory Declaration Form which is available at GECOM offices, and have it authenticated (signed) by a Commissioner of Oaths. The office will also facilitate the distribution of their ID cards if they are already registered, but did not collect their ID cards. In addition, persons could have their photos re-taken and be issued with new ID cards if the photos on their current ID Cards are damaged/faded beyond recognition.

This process is very important and it will enable GECOM to update the National Register of Registrants and prepare the appropriate voters list for LGEs. All eligible persons are encouraged to get on board and support the process.

Yours sincerely,
Neil Kumar