PPP repeats call for public vetting of Election Day staff

Mar 25, 2015 News

The People’s Progressive Party (PPP) continues to raise concerns over the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM)’s decision not to allow public vetting of Election Day staff. Most recently, the Party’s General Secretary, Clement Rohee, said that PPP views this decision as a “very sinister and undemocratic act against the Guyanese people.”
As he hosted PPP’s weekly press conference on Monday last at Freedom House, Rohee pointed out that his party has been the lone advocate in calling for vetting of potential polling day staff. He added that contrary to what is being perceived, “the Party supports vetting of these individuals by all major political stakeholders and the electorate.”
Rohee told media operatives that history has proven that polling day staff has a significant impact on the transparency and integrity of the electoral process, hence, much emphasis must be placed on recruiting experienced, qualified and neutral persons to fill these positions through a transparent process. Further, he asserted that a process that involves the electorate, through public vetting will only serve to boost confidence in the system.
He based his call for the public vetting on the “fact” that the PPP has seen in 2011 the “unprofessional and biased acts by a few presiding and assistant presiding officers towards PPP supporters polling agents and candidates, especially in Georgetown.”
Rohee told the media that his Party is wary of GECOM’s defensive statements in response to issues and concerns raised by political parties and especially towards the recruitment and training of polling day staff, more so the downright refusal to public scrutiny of these persons.
“This should be no secret nor kept as a surprise to the nation, every voter deserves to know the persons sitting in the polling station, where they have to cast their ballot,” Rohee said.
He also echoed calls for GECOM to embark on an aggressive voters’ education programme, especially in rural, hinterland and riverain communities across Guyana.
He said that such a campaign is viewed by the PPP as yet another step to having free and fair elections come May 11, 2015. The General Secretary added that voters’ knowledge of the electoral process will minimize spoilt and rejected ballots and will reduce waiting time for all voters at the place of poll.
“Should this be done thoroughly then there will be no need for Information Clerks at polling places, reducing the confusing and frustration of the 2011 election,” said Rohee.
(Abena Rockcliffe)

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PPP repeats call for public vetting of Election Day staff

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