The Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) says it has no legal responsibility to participate in the appointment of scrutineers by the opposition Parliamentary political parties.
In a press release the Commission also said it is not in any way associated with the apportioning of scrutineers amongst the opposition Parliamentary parties. GECOM said it is publicizing its position on this issue because of “what seems to be a campaign by some persons/organizations through the media, including letter columns, to get [it] involved in this politically contentious matter, which carries the potential to undermine [it].”
GECOM said this is a serious issue; referring to statements “possibly made by the Alliance For Change (AFC) expressing concerns about the manner in which scrutineers are appointed by the Political Parties and consequently, accredited by the Commission.” The AFC further ventilated concerns in the public domain via the media and in so doing has fingered GECOM as supporters of a process which could result in its scrutineers not being paid, the released added. GECOM said Section 8 of the Election Laws (Amendment) Act Number 15 of 2000 specifically deals with the matter of appointment of scrutineers and there is nothing in the Act that confers upon it any legal or other responsibility regarding the said appointments; which Chief Election Officer Gocool Boodhoo informed the AFC of in a correspondence dated October 2, 2007.
GECOM contends that in the light of the provisions of the Act no political party or any other stakeholders could reasonable expect or advocate that it participate in such a process wherein it has no legal authority. The Commission said it has advised the AFC that the said appointments are a matter which should be dealt with among the parties or that the party should lobby for the relevant legislative amendment by Parliament.
