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ABC countries meet with army on elections protocol
A team of high ranking officers of the Guyana Defence Force headed by Chief
ABC representative during the meeting with GDF officers
of Staff, Brigadier Mark Phillips recently met with envoys representing the ABC countries. The meeting which was dubbed successful was aimed at having fruitful discussions on the upcoming General and Regional Elections.
The team representing the Army met with the British and Canadian High Commissioners to Guyana, Greg Quinn and Dr. Nicole Giles as well as US Charge ´d Affaires, Brian Hunte at Defence Headquarters.
Kaieteur News understands that there were discussions on the role of the Joint Services during elections. Topics raised included the Joint Services relationship with the Guyana Elections Commission and the strategic deployment of GDF ranks for elections.
Also discussed was the maintenance of GDF’s professional image during elections, the conduct of the Force on Elections day as well as GDF’s constitutional commitment to a free, fair and peaceful electoral process.
Inter-agency cooperation with other law enforcement agencies as well as the issue of intelligence gathering and updating mechanisms also formed part of the discussion. Additionally, the officials examined new trends in behaviours of protectors globally versus new techniques to counter these threats.
The discussion also provided Officers with the opportunity to explain the concept of the Joint Services Co-ordinating Council as well as brief the diplomats on the concept of Joint Services Training and the function and role of the Inter-Services School for Internal Security Studies in preparing its personnel for internal security situations.
Back in February, The Commander-In-Chief of the Armed Forces, President Donald Ramotar, laid out his expectations of the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) in 2015. In no uncertain terms, the President made it clear that the major concern of the Force, this year, should be to keep things under lawful control during the elections season.
The President reminded that Guyana has a multi-ethnic society and ethnic insecurity can therefore be aroused during the campaign which can lead to unrest.
In this regard, Ramotar pointed out that the joint services’ early voting is intended to provide them with the full opportunity to discharge their responsibility fully and professionally.
“That is my expectation of you, that you will do your duty with the highest level of professionalism.”
“As we approach General and Regional Elections on May, 11, it is my hope that a climate of peace and good sense will prevail, even as contesting political parties and supporters—as is their democratic right—vigorously conduct their campaigns,” Ramotar stated.
He then instructed that certain behaviours must not be allowed to fester in the society.
The President had said that the GDF is an essentially professional and non-partisan entity, and noted that even though officers and ranks alike are entitled to vote in accordance with the law, they are not allowed to participate in acts of “political propaganda or militancy.”
He told the Officers, “You must inspire confidence in citizens and demonstrate to Guyana and the world that while as individuals in uniform you exercise your democratic right to vote; as members of the GDF as an institution, you will carry out your professional responsibility in accordance with the constitution and respect the legitimate outcome of the electoral process.”
Ramotar had reminded the Officers that they have sworn to carry out their duties without fear or favour, affection or ill-will, and in the execution of those duties, honour and uphold the constitution of the Republic of Guyana. (Abena Rockcliffe)
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