Youth advocate group Blue CAPS has said that while is it satisfied that the Guyana Elections Commission (Gecom) is prepared to host local and/or general elections it is interested in monitoring the polls and called for the re-establishment of the Media Monitoring Unit (MMU).
At a meeting on Monday with Gecom representatives, the group said, it was convinced of Gecom’s capacity to effectively administer a transparent elections process in Guyana. The team was assured that Gecom’s position on the preliminary list of electors was sincere and that no efforts were being made by the commission to undermine the integrity of the list, a press statement said.
Discussions also touched on the ‘Friends of Gecom’ initiative and observer status at elections along with reviving the MMU and current concerns about the preliminary list of electors. “We feel it is an idea which time has not passed and it would serve a useful purpose considering the current vigorously politicised media landscape,” Blue CAPS Executive Chairman Clinton Urling said. The group also discussed how the commission could share relevant information, such as access to available elections data, voter rolls and lists, civic education materials, and reports of studies the commission has conducted.
Additionally, the group indicated an interest in monitoring and observing either of the upcoming polls. “We will monitor the activities of all political parties leading up to and during any election and we will also seek observer accreditation from Gecom for those elections,” Urling said. The meeting ended amicably with both parties agreeing to build a professional relationship and working partnership.
In addition to Urling, Blue CAPS was represented by members Joel Simpson, Chontelle Sewett, and Michael Leonard. Gecom was represented by Steve Surujbally, Chairman; Keith Lowenfield, Chief Elections Officer; Vishnu Persaud, Deputy Chief Elections Officer, and Juanita Barker, Legal Officer.
