Elections for toshaos across the country are slated to be held in April but several Amerindian leaders say that there are reports that it may be postponed due to general elections in May.
The last elections for Amerindian leaders were held in April 2012. According to the Amerindian Act, “elections shall be held in a village at intervals of not more than 36 and not less than 33 months under the direction of a returning officer.”
When contacted yesterday, Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Amerindian Affairs Nigel Dharamlall referred Stabroek News to Minister Pauline Sukhai. Sukhai could not be reached.
One village leader told Stabroek News that they were told last year that elections would be held in April. However, they have not heard anything since. “They didn’t tell us anything as yet,” she said. Another leader said that they were compiling a list of the village assets for handover and were told that elections would be held in April.
According to the Amerindian Act, “the date of the election shall be fixed by the minister in consultation with the returning officer and the Minister may fix a date for the election of a Toshao which is different to the date fixed for the election of the councilors.”
It says that the returning officer shall give the Village Council a written notice of election not later than 35 days before election day, which shall confirm the day on which the election will be held; the hours between which voting may take place; and the location of the place of voting.
According to the law, when the Village Council receives the election notice the Village Council shall immediately call a Village general meeting and inform the meeting of the contents of the election notice. Additionally, not later than 60 days before the election date, the Village Council shall compile an electoral list of all adult residents; display the electoral list at the Village office and permit all residents to inspect it; and submit the electoral list to the returning officer.
