The Chairman of the Guyana Elections Commission, retired Justice Claudette Singh, sided with the Government nominated Commissioners today and voted against the jaguar being used as a symbol for the We Invest in Nationhood political party, which is headed by billionaire businessman, Azruddin Mohamed.

Government nominated Commissioner Sase Gunraj said after discussion on the concerns regarding the use of Indigenous Symbols by Political Parties, the Chair ruled that pursuant to Article 7 of the Constitution of Guyana, which outlines the duty of citizens to respect national symbols, the use of the Jaguar which is part of the Coat of Arms, is not acceptable.

The jaguar has been used in the past as a political symbol. The Rise Organise And Rebuild Guyana party used a roaring jaguar as its symbol without objection when it contested elections two decades ago.

But moments after the GECOM decision was handed down, the WIN party said the symbol it actually submitted to the Elections Commission was that of a Leopard, and not a Jaguar. The party said it did not add a name to the symbol as none was required, and noted that a simple check of the symbol submitted would prove that it is a leopard and not a jaguar.

News Source understands that the party is expected to seek some clarification from the Guyana Elections Commission. A GECOM source pointed out to News Source that while the party may not have described its symbol as a jaguar in its submissions to the Commission, on the campaign trail, its presidential candidate has described the symbol as a jaguar.

Earlier this week, the Chairman of the National Toshaos’ Council and the Leader of the Liberty and Justice Party, both objected to the use of the jaguar as a political symbol, stating that as indigenous leaders, the jaguar is known to be sacred to the indigenous people.

Last week, the Chairman of the National Parks Commission, Foreign Secretary Robert Persaud was the first to make known his objection against the use of the jaguar as a political symbol, stating that it is part of the national symbols of Guyana.

Opposition Nominated Commissioner, Vincent Alexander said GECOM has demonstrated its ineptitude and bias by the Chairman and three of the Commissioners who voted against the use of the jaguar as a symbol. He said the decision is beyond logic.

Related posts:

Mohamed hopeful that party symbol will be accepted and approved by GECOM Chairman of National Toshaos’ Council and Leader of LJP urge GECOM not to accept “jaguar” as political party symbol National Protected Areas Commission Chairman objects to Jaguar being used as political party symbol Azruddin Mohamed’s WIN party unveils Jaguar as party symbol