In spite of the ruling party’s continuing objections, Guyana Elections Commission (Gecom) chairman Dr. Steve Surujbally says due diligence was done in the hiring of Richard Francois as the body’s new Public Relations Officer and he remains confident that he will do the work of the commission.
Surujbally also reiterated that the constitution clearly states that political parties ought not to involve themselves in the management of Gecom, while appealing to the media to support the elections body.
Speaking on Sunday at the closing ceremony of a two-day media workshop which focused on elections coverage, Dr. Surujbally noted the presence of Francois at the event and mentioned that he would be liaising with the media.
“I have no doubts that the current PR person [Francois] will be carrying out the Commission’s objectives,” he said. He added that what Francois believes as a citizen is not his concern, as he pointed out that statements cannot be made by Francois without it passing through the commission or him.
Therefore, he stated, if there is to be a relationship between the media and Gecom, “just as I open my door to you, similarly I expect that the journalists will defend Gecom.”
He added, “We have not proven ourselves to be a body without integrity… and if you see that some of our colleagues and some of our staff would be under flack and under severe reprimand, and even (purported) commands being given as to what one should do, I expect that you can support Gecom in our positions that we take.”
He added that if Gecom has “performed the due process and we have taken on board a member of staff. There can be no question anymore.
The die has been cast. And the due process was maintained.”
With regards to involvement of political parties in the management of Gecom, Surujbally said that the constitution clearly states in Article 161 that “Political parties must not involve themselves in the management of Gecom.”
Earlier this month, PPP General Secretary Clement Rohee said that while the PPP respects the right to freedom of employment, it believes that what is known of Francois’ background debars him from holding the position at Gecom.
“Our party therefore calls on GECOM to explain this appointment in the interest of ensuring fairness and professionalism from this senior officer,” Rohee said at Freedom during a press conference.
He said that the party’s concern is premised on incidents in the past which resulted in the lack of professionalism and fairness displayed during the 2011 general elections “when some of those professional officers prevented PPP candidates from executing their constitutional duties at some polling stations.”
He further said, “It is in this context that our party continues to have these concerns regarding Mr. Francois’ ability to discharge his duties professionally and the political influence he could exert in the interest of the party he is aligned to.”
Additionally, Rohee said at a PPP press conference on Monday that if the party is not satisfied with the employment practices of Gecom, and any individual that the commission has employed, “we will make our views known publicly” as well as write to Gecom.
However, when this newspaper sought clarification on the party’s position in light of Surujbally’s declaration that the constitution does not permit any political party to become involved with the management of Gecom, he declined.
Prior to his appointment at Gecom, Francois had being issuing press releases on behalf of the Education Ministry and identified himself as the Ministry’s Communication Specialist.
Francois was also named as one of the 10 civilians to oversee the implementation of the police force’s strategic plan under Rohee’s ministry and prior to going overseas to study he was also the public relations officer of the Guyana Power & Light Inc.
