The Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) made a decision to appoint its Information Technology Manager, Aneal Giddings as its new Deputy Chief Elections Officer (DCEO).

The decision, however, did not gain the support of the opposition-nominated Commissioners. The GECOM Chairman, retired Justice Claudette Singh sided with the Government nominated Commissioners in appointing Giddings to the post.

In registering his disapproval of the appointment of Giddings, longstanding Elections Commissioner Vincent Alexander explained that when the position was originally advertised more than one year ago, the Commission’s Voter Registration Manager Melanie Marshall was the only candidate that met all of the requirements.

Alexander said it was not until the position was re-advertised without reason that Mr Giddings submitted an application.

He said even then, Giddings did not reach the requirements as laid out by the Elections Commission.

“Mr Gidddings at the time of application was over one year short of the required experience. The advertisement clearly stated: “At least five (5) years`s in Management of National elections and Election Systems is a prerequisite requirement”. Mr Giddings joined GECOM in June, 2018 and is still three months short of the required experience,” Commissioner Alexander explained.

Alexander accused the Commission of deliberately delaying the process of appointing a DCEO so as to allow Mr Giddings to acquire the required years of experience.

Describing the actions of the Commission as contrived, Commissioner Alexander said even with the more than one-year-delay, Mr Giddings does not have five years of experience in the Management of National Elections and Elections System.

“The decision to appoint him has been justified from the standpoint that he is a better candidate than Ms. Marshal.  In other words, the criterion of experience has been thrown out of the window and the baseless ruling out of Ms. Marshal is the basis for choosing a candidate, Mr. Giddings, who clearly has not met the criterion,” Commissioner Alexander said.

He said it should be noted that this is the third time in succession that GECOM has contrived to appoint a candidate who has not met the mandatory requirement with regards to experience.

According to him, the current Chief Elections Officer, Vishnu Persaud did not have the required experience when he was appointed.

“The position of ACEO was readvertised although at least four of the original applicants met the requirements and were shortlisted on both occasions, However, a retiree who had not previously applied was let in and given the job. It is clear that the PPP/C appointed commissioners are on a mission to foist candidates of their choice on GECOM with the Chair being complicit,” Commissioner Alexander said.

According to Alexander, such appointments will bring into question GECOM’s fitness for purpose as an impartial electoral body.

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