While congratulating Sandra Jones on her nomination as a GECOM commissioner, the Alliance For Change today slammed Opposition Leader David Granger over the principle and methodology employed in the selection.
In a statement at a press conference today, the AFC said that one of the ”unfortunate consequences of Ms. Jones’ nomination is that it may place her in the (regrettable) position of not enjoying the full support of the joint opposition thereby, leading to unnecessary and avoidable distractions over her nomination.”
The AFC accused Granger of shutting it out of GECOM and said that prior to the Opposition Leader informing it of Jones’ selection, the AFC had been unaware that she was in the running for the post.
Also pointed out by the AFC was the fact that “in February 2011, during the PNC(R)’s exercise to elect a presidential candidate, S.V. Jones Associates was retained to help ensure ‘maximum transparency of the process’, and at the conclusion of the internal election process, the Returning Officer. Mr. Earl John of Sandra V. Jones Associates, declared the results”.
Sources say that consultations by the Opposition Leader had led in the direction of PNCR member Aubrey Norton being selected over the AFC’s nominee David Patterson. However, it was made clear to Granger that Norton was not interested in the post. The sources say that Granger then sought another candidate who could be considered ahead of Patterson as APNU executives were intent on ensuring that the AFC’s nominee was not selected.
In the past, the smaller opposition party has been allowed to nominate one member to GECOM. Jones will be replacing the late Robert Williams who had been nominated by The United Force at a time when it had only one seat in Parliament as compared to the AFC’s seven. The other two opposition commissioners on GECOM were nominated by the PNCR, the major constituent in APNU.
In its statement today, the AFC said “It was the Alliance’s hope that with the new national dispensation, where the good people of Guyana have conferred the privilege of leadership and management on the joint opposition, that the broader representation of the opposition parliamentary parties in GECOM would have been reflected.
“Prior to the announcement by Mr. Granger that Ms. Jones was a candidate, we were unaware of her consideration as a candidate. We believe that one of the unfortunate consequences of Ms. Jones’ nomination is that it may place her in the (regrettable) position of not enjoying the full support of the joint opposition thereby, leading to unnecessary and avoidable distractions over her nomination.
“The Alliance For Change remains strongly committed to the principle that one of the three representatives of the Opposition in GECOM prior to its reform, should be a person nominated by the Alliance For Change…
“The AFC notes that the selection departs from the agreed principle, which we openly stated and which was articulated not only by the AFC but also members of other political parties including Aubrey Norton of the PNC and David Hinds of the WPA…
“It is indeed unfortunate that a party with the parliamentary strength of the AFC cannot be afforded a place on GECOM, as such bringing a truly “independent” view on behalf the electorate, particularly against the backdrop that our people always tend to view elections and their results with some amount of suspicion as was seen even at the 2011 polls when APNU and the PPP wanted verification of the Statements of Poll and the PPP claims of electoral fraud.
“The AFC is once again calling for a reform of GECOM and will be moving the required legislation in Parliament.
“The AFC maintains its high level of confidence in David Patterson as our nominee and we know that he will continue his vibrant efforts to renew and define our democracy on all fronts.
“Though we are dissatisfied, the AFC does not see this as an event for `war’ in the opposition. We will remain focused on the need for the broadest unity and cooperation.”
