The Guyana Elections Commission held its first statutory meeting in almost two months today as the Chairman returned to work following more than a month of medical leave.

Today’s meeting saw the Chairman suspending the agenda of the meeting to look at issues related to possible early elections.

The Chief Elections Officer has now been mandated to come up with timelines and dates related to early elections.  Once that is done, the Commission is likely to meet with the two representatives of the President and the Opposition Leader.

Another meeting of the Commission is set for this Thursday.

Following the statutory meeting today, the Gecom chairman and Chief Elections Officer convened a meeting with senior management. That meeting reportedly examined several administrative and other issues.

Following a meeting two weeks ago between President Granger and Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo, it was agreed that their representatives will meet with GECOM to get information on its operational readiness for elections.

The Opposition and the Government have been trading barbs over GECOM’s readiness. The Opposition has accused the Government of influencing GECOM to delay its elections preparations, but the Government has stated that has never engaged in the practice in telling GECOM how to do its work and will not do so since the Commission is an independent body.

There are some concerns that early elections could create a platform for multiple challenges if the Elections Commission is not completely ready.

GECOM hosted local government elections back in November.

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President and GECOM to meet on Friday GECOM has to advise when Elections could be held . -Pres. Granger Opposition Leader accuses Government of influencing GECOM not to start elections preparations Govt. and Opposition agree to engage GECOM on its administrative readiness for elections and the continuing functions of the Government