Former Chief Elections Officer of the Guyana Elections Commission (Gecom) Gocool Boodoo now works as a consultant for the Ministry of Local Government, which he is preparing for the possible holding of local government elections.
“Gocool Boodoo is the consultant who is establishing the electoral unit in the Ministry of the Local Government,” Head of the Presidential Secretariat Dr Roger Luncheon told Stabroek News on Wednesday.
Boodoo’s contract with Gecom was not renewed, after expiring on April 30, 2013, following a majority vote against rehiring him.
Boodoo had been embroiled in controversy after being accused of seeking to have an erroneous declaration of results made that could have handed the PPP/C a parliamentary majority. He has since denied making any errors.
Minister of Local Government Norman Whittaker confirmed Boodoo’s job and gave a brief description of his portfolio.
“He is engaged with us, you know, providing what you would call a consultancy. We put up a request in terms of what are the things needed to be done and how and he advises us,” he said.
“It has to do with ensuring we are prepared for local government elections. We play our part, helping with things like public awareness and this and that, stuff like that… what is Gecom’s role and what is ours,” he added.
Observers have questioned Boodoo’s present job and ties with the current government as his past role at Gecom was a non-partisan one. Many had stressed that he had always had ties with the PPP/C party and that his being recruited by government, through a post not advertised, is evidence that all along he had been aligned with the current government.
