GECOM rejects PPP’s request for continuous registration extension

Jul 19, 2018 News

GECOM Chairman, Justice James
Patterson (ret’d).

There will be no extension of the continuous voter registration exercise which ended on July 8th.
The Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) has rejected a request from the People’s Progressive Party (PPP) to extend the exercise. The party made the request in a letter to the Chief Elections Officer (CEO) Mr. Keith Lowenfield. When the matter was brought to the Commissioners for a vote at Tuesday’s meeting, there was a tied vote 3-3 with the Government Commissioners voting against the extension.
GECOM Chairman, Justice James Patterson (ret’d), cast his vote against it. The request was therefore denied by majority vote.
In its request, the PPP pointed out that the exercise was initially scheduled to commence on May 07, 2018. However, it actually began two weeks after that date, thereby truncating the desired period for registration.
“The PPP firmly believes that the request for an extension was crucial and reasonable given that a number of eligible registrants were unable to engage in the process due to insufficient time. The disadvantage resulting from the shortened period was further compounded by an inadequate and ineffective public relations support mechanism,” the PPP stated.
Given the importance of this process, especially in the context of openness and to prevent disenfranchisement, the PPP expressed disappointment that Justice Patterson, despite his recent public assurances of a free and fair election, was opposed to a short extension of the continuous registration exercise to allow persons who were unable to register and carry out other related transactions, including transfers, to do so. “This latest action by the Chairman is fast becoming a trend of partisanship following his earlier casting vote for the appointment of the Deputy Chief Elections Officer (DCEO) which denied the highest ranking candidate the position,” the PPP stated.
According to the opposition party, during a preparatory meeting in which their concerns were raised, Lowenfield indicated that there is room for an extension in the schedule leading up to the Local Government Elections.
The PPP explained that APNU Commissioner, Charles Corbin, interfaced with a senior staffer in the CEO’s office, resulting in Mr. Corbin presenting timelines in support of his “no extension” position.
Providing details of what transpired at the meeting, the PPP noted that coincidently, Lowenfield subsequently voiced a concern that even a schedule with a one week extension would be “tight”.

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