—highlights media’s role as ‘indispensable partner’ in shaping public trust
ACKNOWLEDGING the lack of timely information from the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM), the electoral body’s chief executive officer, Vishnu Persaud, on Saturday, committed to the hosting of regular press conferences.
Speaking to reporters at the opening of a media training, the CEO disclosed that he sought and received permission to host regular press conferences and will make himself available for engagements with the media. The Deputy Chief Elections Officer, Aneal Giddings, has also been authorised to engage the media if Persaud is unavailable.

Sections of the local press, on several occasions, raised concerns about how information is shared by GECOM.
“We believe that a well-informed media is an indispensable partner in ensuring that the election processes and outcomes are accepted by all stakeholders, especially the contestants and the voters, as being free, fair, transparent and credible,” Persaud told reporters
The CEO further emphasised the importance of accurate, balanced and comprehensive reporting for the upcoming elections, highlighting the role of the local press in shaping public trust.

“We recognise that the media serves as the primary conduit of information between GECOM and Guyana’s population, more specifically the contestants and the voters.”
The training session aimed to equip journalists with an in-depth understanding of the country’s electoral framework and laws, fostering a collaborative environment for addressing queries and building shared commitment to electoral integrity.
The session provided insights into security measures to safeguard electoral materials, the legal framework governing the country’s democratic processes, including the Representation of the Peoples Act, to ensure stakeholders are aware of their rights and responsibilities.