The Guyana Elections Com-mission (GECOM) held a two-day training programme over the last weekend to select trainers of field staff who will be deployed at local government polls, due to be held later this year.

According to a statement from GECOM, the two-day exercise was held at the St Joseph High School for the selection of trainers who will be tasked with teaching temporary field staff to be involved in the conduct of the polls and a precursor Claims and Objections (C&O) exercise. “Electoral issues are very complex and must be carried without flaws.  You must get it right,” GECOM Chairman Dr Steve Surujbally was quoted as saying during opening remarks, where he noted that the candidates need to ensure that they accurately learn the intricacies, technicalities and legalities associated with the conduct of registration and elections. He also emphasized the need for the successful candidates to conduct themselves in a manner that will not bring disrepute to GECOM.  “Your actions, in carrying out your responsibilities, must always be of such that they help to build the image of this organisation,” he said.

The training programme targeted 122 applicants, who met the eligibility for appointment requirements, the statement explained. The successful candidates, who will receive further on-the-job training, will be appointed to teach temporary field staff, to be hired to work in the respective Registration/Electoral Divisions for the C&O exercise and local government elections.

The programme sought to provide the trainers with the knowledge required for the efficient conduct of both the polls and claims and objections. It also sought to familiarize them with the strategic methods to be used for training temporary field staff and also to help them develop an understanding of the organizational structure to be used to facilitate the efficient conduct of the activities.

The sessions were deliberately structured to provide the trainers with the necessary skills to prepare appropriate teaching aids. The trainers were required to equip themselves with the modus operandi for the completion of the various registration forms which will have to be filled out in connection with the nature of the transactions to be done.

The suitability of a candidate for appointment will be determined through an evaluation process, which was conducted at various stages of the training programme, right up to its conclusion, the statement said.
Among the resource persons at the workshop were: Chief Election Officer Gocool Boodoo, Deputy Chief Election Officer Calvin Benn, Assistant Chief Election Officer Keith Lowenfield, Civic and Voter Education Manager Deolall Ramlall, Voter Registration Manager Beverley Critchlow, Logistics Manager Colin April, Human Resources Manager Indira Anandjit and Logistics Co-ordinator Lawrence Duncan.