A third report is urging the reform of the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) to ensure its independence and boost its credibility.
In its election observation report on last August’s polls, the Carter Center recommends changing the Carter-Price formula for the composition of the GECOM to avoid division along political lines. Additionally, it says that with sufficient preparations, local government elections should be held before the end of the year.
Both the Commonwealth and the Organisation of American States’ electoral missions have called for immediate attention to be given to reforming GECOM and in particular its composition, which is blamed for the deadlocks and delays that led to a lack of trust and confidence among the general public. Since the 2001 elections, the Carter Center had urged that careful consideration be given to alternative models for the commission, towards either reducing or eliminating entirely political party representation in favour of increasing the role of civil society and professional experts. The Carter-Price formula, used since the 1992 elections, governs the composition of the commission. It provides for the appointment of the six members of the commission – three appointed by the President, acting in his own deliberate judgement; and three appointed by the President acting on the advice of the Opposition Leader after meaningful consultation with the opposition parties represented in the National Assembly. The Chairman is appointed from a list of six persons, who are not unacceptable to the President, submitted by the Opposition Leader after he has meaningfully consulted with the non-government political parties represented in the Assembly.
According to the Carter Center’s latest report, dated February 15, GECOM should be composed of individuals who are solely committed to carrying out a successful and transparent elections process. While it says that these individuals should have the confidence of the political parties, it stresses the importance of having them maintain their independence. Like the preceding observer mission reports, the need to ensure gender representation in the commission’s composition is urged as well.
The Carter Center is also recommending a house-to-house verification of the voter’s list to increase voter confidence. It should be noted, however, that there have been renewed calls for a fresh national registration on the whole, which could see the postponement of local government polls this year. The polls have been due since 1997.
The Carter Center says both GECOM and the government should act with deliberate speed to prepare for the polls. As a result, it has suggested the implementation of an expansive voter and civil education programme, paying specific attention to ensuring that correct and consistent information is disseminated about voting processes. For example, there was some confusion during the disciplined services voting that resulted from some voter education ads. The report calls for the reactivation of Task Force on Local Government Reform (it restarted its work at the end of last year) as well as the finalisation and implementation of agreed upon recommendations. In particular, it cited the need to address the allocation of the greatest number of seats possible on a constituency/ward basis as well as determining the overall electoral system and the formula for fiscal transfers. It is asking too that contesting the local elections on a non-party basis be considered.
Last year’s general elections have been endorsed as free, fair and transparent by both international and domestic observers. There were, however, a number of problem areas during the polls. It is in this vein that the report recommends speedier reporting of the vote count, which might be electronically transmitted for preliminary results. In fact, it recommends thoroughly testing such an avenue before the next general elections and, if possible, the local government polls. It suggests too that the election laws are consolidated and appropriate legal remedies must be exercised in considering challenges to the results. It addition, it says new legislation should be debated that provides for correcting results, if evidence is later provided that errors were made in determining the composition of the National Assembly, as is now being claimed.
It also calls for improved communication between GECOM, political parties, civil society and election observers. It said this would elevate the commission’s transparency, and strengthen its relationship with domestic groups in particular. As a result, it has suggested the establishment of a liaison office to coordinate communication.
The Carter Center says it is willing to engage in subsequent conversations with GECOM to expand its recommendations. It also says it remains supportive of the Government of Guyana in its effort to continue to strengthen democracy through the development of democratic institutions and practices.
