Chairman Dr Steve Surujbally last evening announced that the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) is fully prepared for Monday’s polls.
“We are ready. GECOM is ready to carry out that election mandate that was given to us by the state,” Surujbally declared at a press briefing yesterday. Members of the overseas missions in Guyana to observe the elections were also present at the briefing, which was held at the Hotel Tower.
The Commission had raised the bar in running the 2006 elections, Surujbally noted, adding that it hopes to surpass that performance in its handling of operations at this year’s elections. He said that GECOM has worked hard to address some of the glitches that occurred at the previous elections.
Surujbally indicated that there are over 2,070 polling stations country-wide and said that a definitive list of these stations will be provided by midday today. He indicated that this process is almost complete with there being some minor concerns about eight polling stations.
Questioned by a representative from the Organisation of American States (OAS) Observer Team about the updated list, Surujbally said the list already publicized is very close to what the final list will look like. “The list that you would have now is something like 99.9 percent right. The things that we have to change might be in 8 polling stations out of 2073 or 2076,” he said. He continued: “In Diamond, we have now changed about two or three days ago the polling place from those five different polling stations to one polling place, the Diamond Secondary School. It can accommodate the total of 1,600 voters at 5 different polling stations or 6 different polling stations.” GECOM, Surujbally said, has already taken measures to inform residents. He indicated that in cases where necessary, GECOM will have a mobile unit in these areas to provide information. Each polling station is well sign posted, he added. Further, Surujbally said that no more than 400 people will have to vote at any one polling station.
There are 475,000 persons registered to vote at these elections. Days ago, GECOM said 40,000 people had still not collected their National Identification cards but Surujbally indicated that over the past few days many people have been turning up to do so. Last evening, the Commission’s Registration Offices across the country remained opened until 10 pm to facilitate this process. According to Surujbally persons can still vote on Monday even without their identification cards provided that they turn up at the correct polling stations. At each polling station there is a folio which contains information on each voter and can be used to verify voters.
Meanwhile, asked by a CARICOM observer whether he was satisfied with the security arrangements in place for the elections, Surujbally said “yes.” “A great affirmative yes,” he added. He indicated that the security personnel are professionals and had served in this area before. He referred to Monday’s accident involving a GECOM minibus transporting ballots from the disciplined service voting exercise and a car, saying that within seconds the outriders rushed to protect the ballots.
“No I do not worry. I do not worry… but one never knows. But you can have trust but you keep the powder dry.”
