– says comments were limited to a single telephone response
CHIEF Election Officer (CEO) of the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM), Vishnu Persaud, has rejected claims by Kaieteur News that he participated in an “exclusive interview” concerning the possibility of Local Government Elections (LGEs) being held this year, describing the newspaper’s portrayal of the interaction as misleading.
In a letter to the editor dated June 19, 2026, Persaud said the newspaper’s article, headlined “GECOM officials, opposition doubt LGE possible in November,” inaccurately represented a brief telephone exchange as a detailed interview.
According to the CEO, a Kaieteur News reporter contacted him by telephone and asked a single question regarding preparations for Local Government Elections. He said his response was limited to one statement.
“Let me answer you this way,” Persaud recalled telling the reporter before stating, “Unless a plan for local government is approved by the commission, such a plan cannot and will not be activated.”
Persaud emphasised that the comment represented the entirety of his response and that he did not engage in any broader discussion about procedural matters affecting the elections. He further stated that the article incorrectly attributed explanations and clarifications to him that he never provided.
“The article, therefore, attributes to me explanations and clarifications that were never provided,” the CEO wrote.
He argued that describing the exchange as an “exclusive interview” created the false impression that he had participated in a comprehensive discussion on several issues related to the conduct of Local Government Elections.
“The distinction is important,” Persaud noted, adding that readers could be left with an inaccurate understanding of both the nature of the interaction and the scope of his remarks.
The GECOM CEO also stressed the importance of accuracy and context in media reporting, particularly on issues of national significance.
“As public officials and members of the media alike recognise, accuracy and context are essential to maintaining public confidence in information disseminated on matters of national importance,” Persaud stated.
While acknowledging the important role journalists play in informing the public, he said that responsibility must be exercised with precision and fairness, especially when reporting comments made by public officials.
Persaud also called on Kaieteur News to ensure future reports accurately reflect the nature of interactions with sources and faithfully represent the substance and scope of comments made.
He said adherence to professional journalistic standards is essential for preserving public trust and promoting informed public discourse.
