In responding to concerns about the delay in the hosting of local government elections, Minister of Local Government Nigel Dharamlall assured the National Assembly today that Local Government polls will take place this year.
During his budget presentation, Mr. Dharamlall said the government believes in democracy and the choices of citizens and will therefore be ensuring that the elections take place this year.
He said the Guyana Elections Commission will be receiving billions of dollars in the budget and some of that money will go towards the hosting of the local government elections this year.
The Opposition APNU+AFC raised concerns about the lack of specific reference to the hosting of the local government elections during the budget presentation. The Opposition has also indicated that there is no clear reference in terms of the allocation to GECOM about the local government polls.
The local elections were scheduled to last year, but the Elections Commission was not prepared for the elections after it terminated the contracts for the Chief Election Officer and his Deputy and started a search for their replacements.
So far, only a new Chief Election Officer has been hired. Several other key positions at the Commission remain vacant.
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