Jagdeo calls on GECOM to take UNDP’s assistance for elections

Dec 28, 2018 News

Opposition Leader, Bharrat Jagdeo, is eager for the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) to take up United Nations Development Programme’s (UNDP) offer to overlook elections here.
At a recent press conference, Jagdeo told the media that this offer was long extended to GECOM but the Commission is procrastinating.
Jagdeo noted this as he spoke about his party’s concern about the health of the Chairman of GECOM’s Commission, Justice James Patterson.

Opposition Leader, Bharrat Jagdeo

Jagdeo said, “His illness is a concern of ours. The Commission is critical to the machinery and if the Commission is not meeting, who would run things? We have the CEO (Chief Elections Officer) and others in the Secretariat but you need oversight of the commission and he is not meeting and that must be an issue to be discussed between the two sides (at the meeting between Jagdeo and President David Granger in January).
Jagdeo continued, “But, most people had predicted that when the President chose the gentleman.”
However, Jagdeo said that the PPP’s concern is the integrity of the elections. That is when he highlighted UNDP’s offer.
Jagdeo said, “There had been an offer by the UNDP to put someone in place.”
The Opposition Leader said that a needs assessment was done and a comprehensive report was handed to GECOM. He said, “All GECCOM has to do is to say send the person now. That is all they need to do, but they delay from asking UNDP.”
Jagdeo noted that the opportunity was available since before the November 12 Local Government Elections (LGE).
“They (GECOM) said they did not need him before local government because National (General and Regional Elections) is far greater. Well, National is upon us. They should immediately ask the international community for help, said Jagdeo.
He continued, “The Chairman does not need to get out of bed for that, he can hold a conference, convene the Commission and ask for help from the international community to oversee the conduct of elections. “
Jagdeo noted that GECOM has over $5B set aside for 2019. The politician was keen to note, “That is quite a bit of money.”

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