With the backing of the Chairman of the Guyana Elections Commission, former GECOM Deputy Chief Election Officer, Vishnu Persaud was selected today as the new Chief Election Officer of the Guyana Elections Commission.
Persaud edged out Jamaican Election Official, Leslie Harrow for the top GECOM job.
GECOM Chairman, retired Justice Claudette Singh cast the deciding vote at today’s meeting of the Commission, handing the job to Persaud who spent 17 years at the Commission in a number of positions.
The Opposition nominated members of the Commission were against the hiring of Persaud for the post, pointing to his lack of experience and insufficient qualification for the position. But he received the full backing of the Government nominated GECOM Commissioners.
In a statement defending her decision to vote for Persaud to be given the job, the GECOM Chairman said that decision came after listening to the Commissioners and reading the endorsement and recommendation for Persaud by former GECOM Chairman Dr. Steve Surujbally.
The GECOM Chair said Mr. Persaud has acquired institutional knowledge having been employed with GECOM for seventeen (17) years and during his tenure at the Commission, he held the post of Public Relations Officer, Deputy Chief Election Officer for three (3) years, and acted as Chief Election Officer on several occasions.
Justice Singh said Persaud is knowledgeable not only with the understanding and management of the work of the CEO’s office and the operational functions of the Secretariat but also with the geography of Guyana’s ten (10) Administrative Regions.
She said she had no hesitation in endorsing his appointment since he has the necessary skills, experience, and expertise that makes him “eminently qualified” to handle the job.
Persaud could start his job as Chief Election Officer as early as next week.
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