-says minor issues at GPS Sports Club polling station were promptly resolved

GUYANA Elections Commission (GECOM) Commissioner and attorney-at-law, Sase Gunraj, on Friday, assured that everything is in place for the successful holding of the Local Government Elections (LGEs) on June 12.

Gunraj spoke about the commission’s preparations moments after observing prison officials voting at the Guyana Prison Service (GPS) Sports Club on Camp Street. These officials are among more than 9,000 joint services ranks who were voting in advance as they have critical roles to play in ensuring law and order is maintained on the day of the elections.

During his visit to the GPS Sports Club, Gunraj reported that as of 09:30 hours, there had been no significant issues reported. He said there were a few minor hiccups that were promptly addressed and resolved on-site.

“There are one or two minor issues which were resolved very quickly on the ground. So far, from what I’ve observed, we have no real issues occurring this morning,” he said.

He said that the Disciplined Services’ ballot day is an important part of the successful execution of LGEs which is no doubt important for the overall success of the process.

Gunraj stated that he foresees no further issues and is optimistic about the LGEs being concluded successfully and efficiently.

Further, he noted that the disciplined services’ day of voting, usually offers a “bit of a dry run” before the rest of the country votes.

“As far as I’m advised… the reports that we have received from the Secretariat, I believe that we are ready and well poised for the holding of those elections,” he related.
While acknowledging that the LGEs had been delayed for some time due to various reasons, he said that the issues raised by opposition members were thankfully resolved by the courts.

He said that that the extraction of the list was one of two issues dealt with.

“This was an issue that we dealt with since last year, which in fact, led importantly, to one of the delays in holding of these elections. You recall that there was a routine that was previously set… [The] date had to be pushed back because of that issue and notwithstanding the resolution of that issue, at the commission level, it was faced with a court challenge, and the court has ruled in favour of the GECOM, insofar as it has justified the position that was taken by the commission,” Gunraj explained.

As for the issue of the demarcation of the boundaries and the collapsing of divisions into constituencies for the purposes of holding elections, he recalled that the commission understood the challenges sounding those issues and came up with a resolution.

“We made a decision on that since January of this year, and in May, after all the preparations were already in full swing the day for elections, nominations day had already gone, there was another court challenge that was thankfully dealt with very swiftly by the Chief Justice, who also found that GECOM was without wrong in those circumstances,” he related.

Director of Prisons, Nicklon Elliot, who was also at the location said that there was a total of 493 persons registered to vote, however, 63 of them would not be taking part in the process.

“63 of them will not be voting because of one person contesting in that locality area and we have 430 persons who are expected to cast their votes today,” he explained.

Elliot noted that the process was simple and related the GECOM staff’s professionalism in their engagement with himself and his officers.

He related that he did not foresee any difficulties or challenges during the remainder of the day.

Meanwhile, Gunraj visited a number of other locations including the Coast Guard Headquarters in Ruimveldt where he once again commented on GECOM’s preparations.

He said that from a policy perspective, everything is in place for June 12 and that GECOM has provided the necessary guidance for the successful execution of the LGEs.

“I expect everything to flow smoothly and properly,” he said.