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GECOM given green light to produce new ID cards
The Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) has been given the green light to begin producing new identification (ID) cards.
Dr. Roger Luncheon
This is according to head of the Presidential Secretariat, Dr. Roger Luncheon, who told the media on Thursday that Dr. Steve Surujbally has support from the donor community to go ahead with the manufacturing of the new ID cards.
These new cards will be distributed to persons on the national registration list from the ages of 14 and above, and not 18 as was previously done. This was done, Dr. Luncheon said, to facilitate the 2009 local government elections.
“As is previously known, concerns were raised about the commitment of funding for an ID card exclusively for the purposes of voter ID for elections, as opposed to a multi-functional or all-embracing ID card that could be used for various purposes,” Dr. Luncheon said.
In making a decision to move forward, the 2009 local elections commitment was the major rationale in such a decision, he added.
Addressing the issue of the local government task force and reform in local government, Dr. Luncheon, during his post-Cabinet press conference, said much uncertainty exists as to the task force and its ability to produce results in the timeframe to support local government elections this year.
Based on information that is available, Dr. Luncheon said that a third-quarter local government election is something that has been decided upon.
He added that this is suitable since it gives some cushion in case there is a ‘slip or slide’ situation and, as such, the fourth quarter will be available as an alternative option.
“The activities involve the review of legislation for which the constitution provides in local government reform, addressing the new electoral system, fiscal transfers… These are important pieces of legislation, of which we anticipate enactment prior to actually holding local government elections.”
The recent concerns about the task force that was portrayed by President Bharrat Jagdeo, Dr. Luncheon said, mirror the concerns at the level of Cabinet, and sentiments that have been raised about the pace of work at the Task Force.
“Ultimately the task force work leads inexorably to Parliament for its consideration of what would be ideally approved pieces of legislation.”
On February 25 last, the National Assembly approved $90M for the update and finalisation of the voter’s list to host local government elections this year.
$90M will be expended on the purchasing of life jackets, torch-lights and other gear to equip the 27 registration offices countrywide. The estimated sum also includes the distribution of National Identification Cards.
Leader of the People’s National Congress Reform, Robert Corbin, during that sitting of the National Assembly, questioned the sums allocated to GECOM, since according to him he is skeptical that the sums will be sufficient.
The Opposition leader was, however, assured by the Prime Minister that the money would be adequate to cover the expenses of GECOM.
According to the Prime Minister, the GECOM programme has been reworked to suit the available funds. After eight years, the local government task force is yet to agree on the reforms.
The decisions taken by the task force will have to be legislated to allow for elections.
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