Latest update October 11th, 2026 10:21 AM
GECOM reaches decision on Local Government constituencies
Members of the Constituents and GECOM panel
Chairman Dr. Steve Sourball has said that for the first time in Guyana, there is a new system for Local Governance and it should come into effect through a new electoral system, i.e., a mixed electoral system provided for 50 per cent of each Council to be elected via Proportional Representation and the remainder via a first past the post system relative to constituency representation on the various Councils.
The disclosure was made during a GECOM consultation on Delimitation of Local Government Elections yesterday.
The primary focus of the National Consultation is to have dialogue on issues associated with the delimitation of constituencies for Local Government Areas, including municipalities and Neighborhood Democratic Councils (Nods).
“We at GECOM recognized, at the outset, the significance of interactive two-way dialogue in our quest to ensure stakeholder satisfaction and confidence insofar as transparency in carrying out our mandates is concerned.
“Further, we recognized that you, in your capacity of key stakeholders – and with your wealth of knowledge in matters like the one we are here to discuss today – would be equipped to make meaningful contributions which could influence the demarcation of boundaries.”
The chairman further said that GECOM will be treating the contributions of each participant with equal importance in the finalization of the demarcation of boundaries for constituencies for all of the Local Government Areas.
He also hoped that the National Consultation would be in the best interest of our beloved Guyana.
It was not Geom.’s responsibility to determine the number of seats or constituencies for any Municipalities or Nods, Dr Sourball said.
These are determined by and made known by the Minister of Local Government, he added.
GECOM had met with Minister of Local Government, Kelowna Loll, on two occasions to discuss pertinent issues that could affect the delimitation process one way or the other.
According to Deputy Chief Elections Officer, Calvin Benn, local government elections should be held every three years. However, since 1994 this has not been done and it has impacted negatively on Local Government.
The Local Government Elections Act states that elections shall be held according to proportional representation in the 532 constituencies for municipal elections and Nods.
According to Public Relations Officer, Vishnu Persaud, there would be a scheduled meeting on December 7, for persons having problems with their Identification Cards (ID).
They would have an opportunity to share their concerns and views and make corrections pertaining to their IDs.
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