The opposition leader should not have hastily appointed a commissioner

May 14, 2012 Letters

Dear Editor,
I wish to comment on the recent appointment of Ms. Sandra Jones to the Guyana Elections Commission replacing the late Mr. Robert Williams and at the same time tender my congratulations. Let me say from the onset that I have no difficulty with the woman’s competence but the circumstance under which she was appointed.
First I am of the view that the opposition leader should not have hastily appointed a commissioner at this time, such an appointment should have been done as part of a package aimed at reforming the commission. These reforms should include the structure of the secretariat, the composition of the commission and the removal of GECOM as a budget agency and make it autonomous.
Secondly if they were an urgent need for the appointment then the recommendation of the AFC should have been favorable considered. Given the fact Mr. Williams was a nominee of the then TUF his replacement should have come from the smaller parliamentary party. Such a nomination would have signaled Mr. Granger’s genuine desire at inclusionary democracy.
It is time for Mr. Granger to come out of the “we lead you Follow” mode and start to treat the AFC with respect and as equal partner in this new dispensation. Doing otherwise is treading on dangerous ground.
Finally Ms. Jones only claim to political or electoral fame was her recent involvement in the manipulated internal Presidential election of the PNCR which say Mr. Granger emerging victorious. Thus, her appointment begs the question – Is Ms. Jones appointment payback for her role in those elections?
While this may be a question of many Guyanese, that may not be answered, history will be the judge of the wisdom of such an appointment
Paul Rodman

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