Jagdeo to keep close eye on GECOM as Elections preparations begin

With an election date set, Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo today said he will be keeping a close eye on the Guyana Elections Commission as the Commission gets down to preparations for the upcoming March 2020 elections.

At his weekly solo press conference, Mr. Jagdeo expressed concern about recent statements and orders that emanated from the Commission that had to be corrected days later.

He said the issue is becoming frustrating to Guyanese.

According to Mr. Jagdeo, “the institution will lose credibility if every single week, they issue a press release which is misleading and has to be corrected the next day, or orders which have to subsequently be corrected. They not only mislead the entire country which could lead to an undermining of the institution and its standing and impartiality itself, but it creates a ton of grief for people across this country”.

Last week, the Elections Commission issued an order stating that all registered persons would have to visit registration centres to verify their registration.

A few days later, the Commission corrected that order, throwing out the requirement.

The Opposition is not in support of the approved 42 days for claims and objections.

The Elections Commission had initially agreed to 35 days but issued an order with 42 days which was later supported by the Chairman and the Government nominated members of the commission.

The Opposition Leader has been lashing out at the Chief Elections Officer and the Secretariat of the Elections Commission for several months, describing some staff members as “rogue”.

The Elections Commission has not responded to his attacks.