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GECOM not responsible for delays in Local Government polls
… should make public statement on readiness – APNU
There is an ongoing divide over the holding of Local Government elections. At issue is the preparedness of the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) to make the August 1 date.
A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) Shadow Local Government Minister, Ronald Bulkan, is of the view, therefore, that GECOM should state categorically; what is its position in relation to preparedness for holding local polls.
APNU Shadow Local Government Minister Ronald Bulkan
Bulkan believes that utterances by the People’s Progressive Party’s (PPP) General Secretary, Clement Rohee, and by Minister within the Local Government Ministry Norman Whitaker are mechanisms to further frustrate Local Government polls.
He told this newspaper yesterday that if Local Government elections are not held by August, it will not be the fault of the Elections Commission, but that of the government, since GECOM can only work on the instructions of the Administration.
He pointed out that there are four items relevant to the issue – the reformed Local Government laws, public knowledge of the election, the public interest in participating in local polls and the role of GECOM and the Local Government Minister.
Minister Whitaker was quoted as saying that “the vast majority of the populace is not prepared for the holding of Local Government polls by August 1.” Minister Rohee, at one of the party’s weekly press briefings, declared that GECOM is not in a position to hold local polls by August.
Bulkan explained that the Minister does not have to wait on GECOM to tell him when they are ready for local polls, but it is he who has to alert the commission as to when it is desirous of holding elections and ascertaining and ensuring that the body is ready.
In relation to items relevant for the holding of local polls, Bulkan said that the reformed Local Government Bills should not be an excuse for not holding local polls. “If the government really wanted to hold elections” it could go ahead with those Bills that have already been passed.
He added that in relation to public knowledge and awareness there is no evidence that the public is unaware of local polls and questioned the type of awareness measures currently being used.
In a letter to the media, Bulkan said that “the elections are to provide citizens with the opportunity to elect councilors to manage their communities, whether it is a village or town.
“As for the new voting system, it is one whereby “wards” or constituencies are created within each NDC or municipality (and equal to half of the number of seats on the respective Council) and the successful candidate will represent the residents of that geographic area within that Local Democratic organ.
“In practice, it gives each voter the option to cast two votes; one for a councillor for a particular area within the whole (constituency) and the other to determine the composition of the other half of the council, on the basis of proportional representation. This is no different from what obtains at General Elections where the ballot paper is divided in two and voters can mark two Xs.”
In relation to Minister Whittaker’s comments on public desire and interest in having local elections, Bulkan noted that the public has made it clear that it is not satisfied with the state and management of their communities and in his view would be “more than happy” to partake in local polls.
Bulkan said that there is no law which speaks to the holding of local elections depending on citizens wanting to take part. The Shadow Local Government Minister has however urged that GECOM should make a public statement to say exactly what the position on election is.
Dr. Steve Surjbally, Chairman of the autonomous body, told Kaieteur News last week that he would describe Government’s utterances as “casting blame” on the agency. He charged that there are measures being continuously put in place and he clarified that the agency would be able to meet the deadline for which government might set.
Local Government Elections were last held in 1994. The government had stated that local polls would be held this year, but is now stating that that might not be possible because of GECOM’s inability to be ready by August.
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