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GECOM – a whale without oxygen

Nov 29, 2021 Editorial

Kaieteur News – Guyanese are clamouring for a different GECOM, one going in a different direction than before. The PPP, bit by bit, shows its hand, which confirms that party leaders and strategists are determined to go their own way, namely, the opposite of what Guyanese are calling for with this most sensitive of state agencies. A little of this came to light in the article titled, “GECOM losing autonomy with Govt., pulling purse strings -Commissioner” (KN November 23).
The proposed electoral reforms have been savaged by many sections of Guyanese society for not saying much, nor addressing anything of substance, as such pertains to enhancements at GECOM. By itself, that is troubling and leaves citizens wondering what the PPP Government is really up to, where it desires to take this society, not just electorally, but in any and every other place that cries out for attention, action, and assets. This was what one of the Commissioners at GECOM, the PNC nominated, Mr. Vincent Alexander, pointed to in a recent TV programme, and which was incorporated into our November 22 article. It is about assets, as in the “pulling purse strings” of the organisation to keep it on a short leash, and under the jackboot of widening control.
The purse strings mean money, and money is the lifeblood of any entity, be it public or private. When money is in short supply, or deliberately and craftily withheld, then the entity gasps for breath. It struggles for the firmest footing, and have continuing difficulties delivering on its mandate(s). In the case of GECOM, even in the best of circumstances, it can’t do right, it never seems to please everyone, sometimes no one. At the risk of understatement, GECOM is not just any ordinary agency to be treated (mistreated) in any old way that pleases powerful political people. Rather, it is a living, breathing part of Guyana never delivering satisfactorily. To a great extent, this has been its lot, its long and controversial history under different governments, and in one elections season after another, always rancorous, forever abundant in the ugly or skullduggery.
To pressure it by withholding required resources is to strangle it slowly, make its people bow to the will of political masters, and dance to their tunes. When something as basic as the housing for GECOM is subject to delay, with the possible worst of objectives, then the first lines of the writing on the wall become distinct. The delay in paying rent for properties used by GECOM is more than about delay itself. It is to demoralise it first, then debone it; and, last, force it to descend into a heap, with more curses rained upon the heads of agency and people. Such cunning delaying, for all intents and purposes, defunding action essentially reduces GECOM to the pitiful and helpless state of a whale stranded on the beach, and needing help to turn or move its massive bulk.
It is the easiest and most convenient of whipping exercises to withhold cash for GECOM’s business and reduce it to a weakened state. Political parties and their leaders give the people something to rage and shout about, and to keep their attention away from their own weaknesses and trickiness.
Taking away money, be such in the form of the roofs overhead not paid for a year, or other kinds of funding for vital equipment and personnel, or no cash for crucial programmes, is a long and well-practiced art of devious political minds in other parts of the world. For their part, Guyanese politicians do not need any education from foreigners on matters related to elections and elections oversight arrangements.
We are such masters of this here, that our political people can teach others how to position and conduct themselves to squeeze out any advantage in the electoral process that is there to be had. And in this country, if there is any advantage, no matter how minute, either the PPP/C or PNC is sure to be ahead of the game and exploit to the fullest. Today, the PPP is in the pilot’s seat, and it is showing an array of tricks. Its visions are for a GECOM obeying its will, kneeling to its dictates.

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