The Opposition People’s National Congress Reform is accusing the Chairman of the Guyana Elections Commission, retired Justice Claudette Singh of colluding with the Commissioners nominated by the governing People’s Progressive Party to hire two high-level staff members at the Commission as well as siding with the Government Commissioners on critical issues.

In a release today, the PNC/R said the recent appointments by GECOM of a Civic and Voter Education Manager and a Logistics Manager provide further evidence that Chairperson is not prepared to work in the best interest of the Commission and fulfill her duty with impartiality.

The PNC said the two positions were filled by persons who possess inferior qualifications and relevant experience compared to other applicants who were rejected by the GECOM Chair and the three PPP-nominated commissioners.

The PNC said it has noted similar occurrences in the past, especially with the appointments of the current Chief Election Officer and his deputy, even though they did not have the required years of relevant job experience.

The party said the GECOM Chair must come clean and explain to the Guyanese public why she sides with the PPP Commissioners on all critical matters. The party said failure on the part of Justice Singh to do that, would further cement the view that she is working in cohort with the governing party.

“Guyanese people must reject this situation as unacceptable. It does not provide a proper basis for the conduct of elections that are fair, credible, and can inspire trust in the voting population. We reiterate our demand for GECOM Chairman Claudette Singh to step down and a new chairperson quickly selected who can ensure that the commission is professionally and responsibly managed,” the party noted.

The PNC/R said the Commission must be professionalize and must not become a political pawn of any party. The party also wants a Chairman of GECOM who communicates with the public regularly to increase transparency and public confidence in the commission’s decision-making process.

The party also reiterated its call for a more modern and effective administrative systems and voting technologies, including a clean voters list and biometrics at the place of polling.

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