IT is imperative that we comment on a specific remark attributed by inference to Dr. Steve Surujbally, Chairman of the Guyana Elections Commission, as published in the second paragraph under the caption “GECOM’S READINESS”, within  an article titled “HISTORIC MOMENT IN GUYANA’S GOVERNANCE (Guyana Chronicle – page 8 – 25.04.2012), which was authored by Mr. Ricky Singh.
In the above-mentioned paragraph, Mr. Singh used the phrase: “… the independent and bi-partisan Commission…” which by inference is attributed to Dr. Surujbally. In this regard, it must be noted that the constitutional provisions for the appointment of commissioners include that the appointees take the constitutional Oath of Office which reads as follows:-
“I……, do hereby solemnly declare that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the People of Guyana, that I will faithfully execute the office of ….  without fear or favour, affection or ill will and that in the execution of the functions of that office I will honour, uphold and preserve the Constitution of the Co-operative Republic of Guyana.”
In view of the above, and because of the fact that all past and incumbent members of the Commission have taken this oath, GECOM should not be viewed as a bi-partisan body. This position has been continuously emphasised by Dr. Steve Surujbally, who has pointed out that commissioners have made hundreds of unanimous decisions under his stewardship and previously.
In fact, GECOM commissioners have themselves time and again made it abundantly clear that, whereas they were nominated for appointment by political parties to be members of the Guyana Elections Commission, they are not representatives of the parties that nominated them for such appointment.
Further, in order that there can be no confusion, it is essential that we point out that GECOM would be able to react positively to a call for new elections (‘Snap Poll’) within the confines of the administrative pre-requisites and the relevant legal provisions which govern the holding of any General and Regional and/or Local Government Elections.