The Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) has announced that Sunday July 8, 2018 is the final day for persons to register and make claims and objections. As such, the elections regulatory body is urging all Guyanese who are still to register or make claims or objections to do so before this date.
According to GECOM, these registration exercises commenced on May 21, 2018 in an effort to ensure that all eligible persons are afforded unlimited opportunities to be included on the National Register of Registrants Database.
It was also done early to ensure that GECOM is in a state of preparedness which would enable it to respond to calls for elections in a timely manner.
“Registration guarantees eligible persons their Constitutional right to become registered in accordance with the relevant legal provisions and to cast their ballots at future General, Regional and Local Government Elections” the GECOM statement reminded.
With regard to registration, any individual who will be 14 years and over by 31st October, 2018, is a Guyanese citizen by birth, descent, naturalization or is a citizen from a Commonwealth country living in Guyana for one year or more is eligible to be registered.
Persons interested are being asked by GECOM to walk with an original Birth Certificate or a valid Guyana Passport and original Marriage Certificate or Deed Poll (if applicable).
The electoral body made it clear that Baptism Certificates, expired Passports, photocopies of relevant documents or letters from Priests, elders, Headmasters / Headmistresses, Village Captains/Toshaos and Justices of the Peace or existing Identification (ID) Cards will not be accepted as source documents for Registration.
In addition, persons 18 years and older can also request to correct or change their name, address or occupation by 8th July 2018. Objection to a name appearing on the Preliminary List of Electors (PLE) must be made by July 12, 2018.
GECOM said that there will be a hearing by Registration Officers to determine the validity of the Objections and if persons are not satisfied with the outcome, appeals will be heard by the Chief Election Officer (CEO).
Meanwhile, the elections regulatory body also urged persons to desist from unlawful practices, following reports of persons presenting themselves to be registered claiming not to know their names, date of birth and other key personal identifying information. This, according to GECOM, is an offence.
To facilitate claims, objections and registration, twenty-nine (29) registration offices countrywide will be opened Monday to Thursday between 8:00hrs to 17:00hrs, Friday between 8:00hrs and 16:00hrs and weekends and holidays from 10:00hrs to 14:00hrs.
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