PPP’s continued call for the removal of GECOM PRO… Surujbally’s assurances of integrity is of no comfort to the PPP- Rohee

Oct 21, 2014 News

---

– Calls on Commission to release contractual arrangement with PRO

By Abena Rockcliffe
Despite public statements made by Chairman of the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM), Dr. Steve Surujbally, to the effect that political parties have nothing to worry about with regards to maintenance of the Commission’s integrity; the heart of the People’s Progressive Party (PPP) is still not at ease.

Dr. Surujbally recently dismissed strong criticisms made by the PPP on the appointment of Richard Francois as GECOM’s Public Relations Officer (PRO); essentially saying that it is without merit.
The Chairman said that he has no doubt that Francois will carry out the objectives of GECOM effectively and efficiently irrespective of his background.
“That is what he has to do (carry out GECOM’s objectives) that is public relations. I don’t care what his background is, where he was or what he believes in as a citizen. At the end of it all he cannot make a statement to the media or the public without it passing through the Commission or through myself,” said Surujbally.
But PPP’s General Secretary, Clement Rohee, made it clear yesterday that the expressions made by Surujbally are of no comfort to the PPP and the Party still has no faith that Francois will work effectively and in the best interest of all.
The politician made this declaration yesterday as he hosted the Party’s weekly press conference at Freedom House.
Rohee told members of the media that the PPP has made several public statements expressing concerns over GECOM’s employment procedures and had written to the Chairman stating clearly the Party’s objection on the appointment of Francois. Rohee said that it is the Party’s view, based on evidence provided to the Chairman of GECOM, that “Francois is openly supportive of the opposition which can only serve to compromise the integrity of GECOM and information released to the Guyanese people.”
Surujbally stated over the weekend that the highest law of Guyana, the Constitution, notes specifically that political parties must not become involved in the management of GECOM. He disclosed that the hiring of a staff member is considered to be a matter of management.
But Rohee said that even though he is not sure of the constitutional arrangements with respect to the practices of GECOM “I do know that GECOM is not a holy cow in the government arrangements in this country.”
He found it necessary to state that GECOM was set up to ensure that free and fair elections are held in Guyana “to the satisfaction of the political parties including the People’s Progressive Party and if we are not satisfied with the employment practices of GECOM and any individual that GECOM has employed we will make our views known publically as well as we will write to the Chairman.”
Rohee continued, “so if Mr. Surujbally as I saw in one of the newspapers, wants to beat his breast about the constitutional protectionism in respect to GECOM he is free to do so but he can be assured that the PPP is not going to stand by and allow anything to pass that we have evidence on, be it employment or anything we consider to be an infraction on the Representation of the Peoples Act.”
The General Secretary also said that GECOM should publish the Terms of Reference of Francois’s employment “if they really want to be transparent.” He also requested that GECOM publish the job description and all other contractual arrangements between Francois and GECOM adding “let us carry this thing right down to the wire.”
Rohee added that his Party has been made aware that GECOM is in the process of recruiting and training Elections Day staff and in this regard called for a transparent and fair process.
He said that the Party understands that the 2011 Manuals are being used to conduct these training sessions; “it seems that GECOM has not learnt from its 2012 Retreat. This Retreat was more of a review of Elections 2011 which was replete with administrative bungling and open political bias by some of GECOM’s appointed polling day staff.”
PPP has been very critical of GECOM in the face of looming elections.
In recent times, PPP has thrown many stones at the organization. The Party has accused the independent entity of not performing efficiently, of having a flawed Preliminary List of Electors (PLE) and of having double standards. The latest was Francois’ issue.
The Party said that Francois’ Facebook page can verify these claims along with the numerous “anti-PPP letters published in the Kaieteur News in his name.”
The Party recently wrote to GECOM’s Chairman, Dr. Surujbally objecting to Francois’ appointment and “is awaiting firm and decisive actions towards this effect.”

---

---