GECOM meeting with Chief Whips end with no agreement on elections timeline

A meeting between the Guyana Elections Commission and the Chief Whips in the National Assembly, ended this afternoon with GECOM still at a stalemate over whether it could host early elections before the end of March. 

GECOM meeting with Chief Whips end with no agreement on elections timeline

A meeting between the Guyana Elections Commission and the Chief Whips in the National Assembly, ended this afternoon with GECOM still at a stalemate over whether it could host early elections before the end of March.

The President’s representative at the meeting, Government Chief Whip Amna Ally said the meeting was terminated as it did not appear to be going anywhere.

She said while the PPP nominated Commissioners were pushing for GECOM to be ready within the 90 days period after a no-confidence vote, the coalition Commissioners and the Elections Commission itself appeared to be doubting that the timeline could me met to host the elections.

Ali, who is also the Minister of Social Protection, said several questions were raised about the the voters list and the need to cleanse the list.

Opposition Chief Whip Gail Teixeira told reporters that it is very clear that the Commission has been unable to make a decision in relation to its operational readiness for early elections. She said she wants to know whether GECOM would take the responsibility if the country finds itself facing a constitutional crisis.

On the passage of a no-confidence motion, elections would have to be called within 90 days or at a time agreed to by two-thirds of the National Assembly.

Ms. Teixeira said she seriously doubts that the Opposition would agree to any prolonged timeline, since that would defeat the purpose of early elections after a successful no-confidence motion.

The Chief Whip said the government appears to be pushing for house to house registration and a claims and objections period to address the existing voters list. The opposition believes the same list could be used, although the Opposition Leader has admitted that the list is flawed.

 

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