The People’s Progressive Party (PPP) yesterday raised concerns over GECOM’s preparations for general elections saying the Commission has not been meeting because of the absence of one of the members who was recommended by the Opposition Leader.
The PPP said this absence and those of others has prevented the required quorum at GECOM meetings and it expressed serious concerns over the absence of the Commissioner given that the ‘Claims and Objections’ period is scheduled to start in another few weeks. “This can affect the preparatory work for the upcoming elections”, the party said in a terse statement.
Stabroek News unsuccessfully sought a comment from GECOM officials yesterday, but a source close to the Commission said a Commissioner is away due to personal issues. But it was pointed out that GECOM has been meeting in his absence.
However, the source said the PPP’s concerns about the preparations, particularly the scheduled start of the Claims and Objections period are reasonable because the previously announced date (April 4) for the commencement could be pushed back.
Opposition Leader, Robert Corbin recently expressed concerns that the government will create undue problems for the elections while pointing out that the PNCR has been fully cooperating with GECOM to have the elections held within the constitutionally mandated period.
Corbin told Stabroek News on Friday last that he would be happy if GECOM is ready, noting that the People’s National Congress Reform (PNCR) is specifically concerned about having provisions in place for persons without source documents to be registered. “We still have very serious concerns that there will be people who could be disenfranchised if they do not put provisions in place to get the source documents to get them registered… political and governmental will is needed to make it happen”, Corbin had said.
In its statement, the PPP said the Commissioner in question has not attended any meetings for the year, and that two other Commissioners are often absent which leads to the meetings being postponed. The party called for the “shortcoming to be corrected immediately” and for priority to be given to the work of the Commission.
The PPP statement raised concerns within the Alliance For Change (AFC) camp yesterday with leader, Raphael Trotman saying, “We’re concerned that the PPP is concerned”. Trotman said the AFC is confident that if GECOM is given the full support of the government, particularly financial support the elections would be held during the time-tabled period.
GECOM has displayed that it has the capacity to deliver elections within the constitutional timeframe, Trotman said, adding barring no interruptions GECOM can deliver. He stressed that the party is not aware of any lack of quorum at the Commission and or meetings being delayed.
Trotman explained that while the AFC does not have a Commissioner at GECOM the party has been meeting with officials and receiving regular updates. He said too that the party has raised certain critical questions with Chairman, Steve Surujbally and was assured of how the preparations are ongoing.
“Following the discussions we’ve had with the Commission and its Chairman we got the sense that this is a Commission which was at peace with itself, no tensions. What we have to worry about now is that the PPP is worried”, Trotman stated. He continued saying that the PPP statement, “coupled with the Babu John address” by President Bharrat Jagdeo was meant to spread fear.
In addition, the AFC leader said that the donor agencies’ involvement in the elections process here since 1992 should be allowed to continue in an unfettered way whether they offer technical assistance and/ or field observer missions.
