Latest update November 26th, 2024 1:00 AM
GECOM’s Preliminary List of Electors…“Never in history did Guyana have a list of over 550,000 electors” – PPP
“Never in its history did Guyana have a list with over 550,000 electors. We (PPP) deserve a forthright and logical
PPP General Secretary Clement Rohee
explanation from GECOM. The PPP stands firm as regards the integrity of the Preliminary List of Electors (PLE) and remains strong in its belief that the List in its present form is unacceptable. On several occasions the Party has expressed concerns over the inputting of data into the National Register of Registrants (NRR) and the subsequent compilation of the PLE.”
This sentiment was expressed by People’s Progressive Party (PPP) General Secretary Clement Rohee during the Party’s weekly press briefing at Freedom House yesterday.
Rohee noted that the nation was told that GECOM’s IT department manages this process however, the Party said it has a number of questions.
“Who inputs data and who supervises the process at GECOM; What quality control mechanism is in place at GECOM to ensure the integrity and security of data; Is there still a vacancy at GECOM for an IT Manager; Why the refusal by GECOM to use the services of the Joint International Technical Assistance (JITA) and establish an International Monitoring Unit?” questioned Rohee.
Rohee said the People’s Progressive Party, (PPP) since the commencement of the sixth Cycle of Continuous Registration, made several calls for GECOM to prepare a list free of discrepancies so as not to disenfranchise eligible Guyanese anywhere in the country.
He added that over the past several weeks the Party has had cause to write GECOM outlining the findings of many irregularities with respect of the PLE which activists have unearthed while conducting field work.
The General Secretary further noted that there is an astronomical increase in new registrants amounting to almost 80,000, compared to the previous annual increase of approximately 11,000. Requests have been made to GECOM to provide a breakdown of the names of these persons and their origins.
To date, Rohee said GECOM has failed to act.
“It was indeed shocking to note GECOM’s public statement, just a few days into the Claims and Objections period, accusing the PPP of using Community Service Officers (CSOs) attached to the Ministry of Amerindian Affairs to pose as GECOM officers in Region One to verify names on the PLE. Further, what boggles the mind is the recent irresponsible and uninformed outburst by APNU’s Winston Felix accusing the PPP of allowing its activists to pose as GECOM staff members in Region Five. The Party wishes to remind APNU of the length and depth of the PPP’s reach throughout the length and breadth of our country,” Rohee emphatically said.
He added that the PPP upholds the right of political parties to scrutinize the PLE in whatever method or manner they choose providing it is done within the meaning of the law it is established to practice. “The Parties must be free to report their findings of irregularities to GECOM for further verification and corrective actions. In the circumstance, therefore, we view the unwarranted criticism by GECOM and APNU as a deterrent to our work on the ground and the placing of our activists at risk while they go about their legitimate duties.”
Further, Rohee explained that the Party has discovered a significant number of persons who are still to make corrections as regards their particulars. This concern was already communicated to GECOM in the Party’s request for an extension of seven days to the current Claims and Objection period.
“While we welcome the seven days extension granted by GECOM, it’s sad to note APNU’s stand in not supporting this request; once again the opposition has displayed its characteristic narrow politics they are known for. Having regard to the relentless efforts of APNU in opposing our efforts to sanitize the PLE, one must wonder whether they stand to benefit from a perverted electoral process which allows for confusion on Election Day and consequently questioning of the results.” Rohee asserted.
Underscoring that the PPP is calling on all eligible voters to register as the sixth cycle comes to an end, Rohee explained that the Party is of the view that GECOM has the responsibility to ensure that persons are listed in the correct registration unit. “There should be no excuse from GECOM on this crucial aspect of the registration process.”
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