AFC leader Khemraj Ramjattan believes local government elections are possible this year and has urged the fast-tracking of the examination of four crucial bills so that elections could be held by November.
He said the Guyana Elections Commission (Gecom) budget for 2013 was not cut because they are cognisant of this need. “We want Gecom to be fully financed and prepared for local government elections,” he told Stabroek News on Sunday.
The Local Government Commission Bill, the Fiscal Transfers Bill, the Local Government (Amendment) Bill and the Municipal and District Councils (Amendment) Bill, which were deemed instrumental for local government reform and the holding of long-delayed local government elections, are being examined by a parliamentary Special Select Committee. Earlier this month, several members had reported that the work of the Committee is progressing steadily despite disagreements. Chairman of the committee, Basil Williams had said that they are considering the third of the four bills they have been mandated to examine.
Ramjattan said the AFC hopes the committee will fast-track the Bills, reach agreement on the contentious issues and hopefully