THE Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) has set aside December 12, 2022, as Nomination Day for the Local Government Elections (LGE).

GECOM, in newspaper advertisements, said that all political parties desirous of contesting in the local government polls on March 13, 2023, are required to submit a symbol for approval by the elections body before Nomination Day.

“In accordance with section 48(1) of the Local Authorities (Elections) Act, Cap. 28:03, all political parties, voluntary groups, and individuals who are desirous of contesting the upcoming Local Government Elections are required to submit, to the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM), a symbol for approval, no later than 21 days before Nomination Day,” the advertisement stated.

In October, Minister of Local Government and Regional Development, Nigel Dharamlall, wrote the GECOM Chairperson, Justice (Ret’d) Claudette Singh, informing her of the date for LGE.

As part of the government’s commitment, some $2.9 billion has been allocated to GECOM for preparatory works to ensure the successful planning and execution of the LGE.

Local Government Election was legally due last year and funds were budgeted in 2021 to facilitate this; however, several issues facing GECOM at the time prevented the hosting of the elections, including the non-appointment of a chief election officer (CEO).

The LGE could not be held in the absence of a CEO, a position which was later filled by Vishnu Persaud.

The two primary objectives of local government are to enable democratic local decision-making and action by and on behalf of communities, and to promote the social, economic, environmental, and cultural well-being of communities.

Some of the key goals of the LGE are to improve the local environment; provide and develop local open spaces and recreational facilities; set strategic policy directions; and prepare annual plans, budgets and long-term council community plans.

LGE will be held in 70 Neighbourhood Democratic Councils (NDCs) and 10 municipalities, throughout the country using a hybrid system of Proportional Representation and First Past-the-Post.

Fifty per cent of the councillors for each Local Authority Area (LAA) will be elected through Proportional Representation while the other 50 per cent will be elected through First-Past-the-Post.