Reducing suspicion is the best antidote for electoral sloth

May 20, 2015 Features / Columnists, Peeping Tom

The last time local government elections were held in Guyana, the results for those elections were known on the very night of the elections. At that time the systems at GECOM were far more archaic than they are today, yet the Commission was able to release the results on the very night of the elections.
The electoral system for local government elections allowed this to happen. This however could not happen in general elections, where all the votes in the country have to be counted before it is known who has won and how seats are to be apportioned.
This example is used to illustrate the fact that it is the system that breeds delays and not necessarily the absence of technology. The use of technologies would not necessarily guarantee a faster declaration, because the reason for the sloth in the system has to do with the multiple layers of checks and balances in place. These checks and balances are in turn required because of the suspicion that hangs over the elections.
The key, therefore, to ensuring a faster declaration of the results, rests less with technology than it does with reforming the electoral system, so as to reduce suspicion.
Reaching agreement on changes in the country’s electoral system is not easily achieved. It took close to seven years for the PPPC and the PNCR to reach agreement on local government reforms. The Constitutional Reform Process that led to the 2003 amendments to the Constitution of Guyana was five years in the making. Against this background, it is difficult to envisage electoral reform that will lead to improved efficiency of the electoral machinery.
As such, the Commission may have to consider the lesser option of introducing improved technology in the electoral process. But this is easier said than done.
Many persons have complained at how long it took the Commission to tally up the results of 2,299 polling stations. However, no one else did better than the Commission. APNU+AFC on the afternoon after the elections announced that it had an unassailable lead. Well, it turned out that the lead was not as unassailable as the party presumed. The PPP also said that it had a comfortable lead and was confident of victory. It late screamed that it was cheated.
The Stabroek News launched an initiative of reporting on the results of the elections. It was not able to obtain more than 15% of the results of the total number of polling stations. Perhaps even if the entire media had come together in this initiative it would not have done better.
We are yet to hear from the Electoral Assistance Bureau (EAB). I will have more to say about this body at a later date, but from all accounts it was unable to field volunteers at more than 40% of the polling stations, a most disgraceful effort.
This column had urged organizations such as the Private Sector Commission (PSC) to come together with the EAB to ensure that every polling station was covered. The PSC did not participate in the observing the elections. If it did, perhaps much of the suspicion would have been avoided.
As much, therefore, as people have beat up on GECOM for the long time it takes to tally the results of the elections, no one has been able to do better. In fact, the EAB usually has to go around begging parties for the results at the polling stations where they did not have a presence. As a result, their verdict on the count is usually not known until months after the elections.
Yet people continue to be harsh on GECOM. They continue to be critical, even going as far as calling for the resignation of the Chairman. No system, however, is foolproof. If you ask anyone to tally 2,299 numbers, there will be mistakes due to human error.
Fortunately, technology has come to the rescue. There are systems in place which can be used to guarantee the quick and accurate tallying of votes. These systems can be part of a technological package which can aid in ensuring greater accuracy and speed in the electoral process.
The downside of course is that it requires a greater deal of competence from polling officials; it also increases rather than decreases that old bogey: suspicion. In a subsequent column, I will discuss some possible solutions.

Latest News

Reducing suspicion is the best antidote for electoral sloth

Related

Similar Articles

The Glenn Lall Show | January, 10th, 2025

Follow on Tik Tok @Glennlall

THE BLUNT OF THE DAY

Sports

Savory, Persaud show class ahead of Regional C/ships with fifties

Spectators experience and playing standards high...

Archery Guyana’s 2024 Senior Barebow Open...

Body of Chinese national who fell from new...

Athanaze posts 98 as Windies start positively in...

Youngsters seize opportunity, rubbing shoulders...

Features/Columnists

Jagdeo’s press conferences are about grievance rather than governance

Clarifying misconceptions about the Panama Canal

From ethnicity to Exxon, race to renegotiation

Publisher’s Note

Weekend Cartoon

Bridge Watch

Demerara Harbour Bridge

> Berbice Bridge […]

Reducing suspicion is the best antidote for electoral sloth

Share this:

Related

Similar Articles

The Glenn Lall Show | January, 10th, 2025

Follow on Tik Tok @Glennlall

THE BLUNT OF THE DAY

Sports

Features/Columnists

Publisher’s Note

Weekend Cartoon

Bridge Watch

Demerara Harbour Bridge

> Berbice Bridge […]