The Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) is on track to open the offices of 80 Returning Officers for all Local Authority Areas (LAA) countrywide by August 21st, in keeping with statutory obligations, its Public Relations Officer Yolanda Ward says.
Following a statutory meeting of GECOM commissioners, which was held over two days, Ward told Stabroek News that it dealt with policy to inform the work of the GECOM Secretariat and in keeping with preparations for the November 12 Local Government Elections (LGE).
Meanwhile, she reminded that deadline for the submission of all symbols to be used by political parties or independent candidates is August 29th.
The submission of symbols, she said, is not being done on any prescribed form. The candidates are required to submit to GECOM its symbols with all contact details in the event that there is need to change or make changes to the symbols as two candidates are not allowed to use similar symbols.
All key administrative staff are in place, she said, and education and public awareness campaigns have begun and will continue with the launch of a Facebook page during this weekend and next week.
Within the next two weeks, she said, video clips on elections-related matters will be uploaded to GECOM’s website and on the Facebook page. The clips are intended to aid candidates in filling out their nomination forms.
Ward is also asking people to look out for a weekly GECOM “corner,” giving tips on the LGE, which is being published in all the newspapers.
Meanwhile, she said that with the completion of the train-the trainers programme for elections staff completed, those trained have begun to train field staff with the knowledge and skills to manage the LGE.
