Opposition nominated Commissioners have raised objections at GECOM’s administration creation of a new position on the agency’s organogram and internal hire. Citing an overload in work at the agency, the commission was informed that a temporary position of Logistics Coordinator was created.
Commissioner Vincent Alexander in a recent interview told Stabroek News with fellow opposition Commissioners on his side of the table felt that the Commission should have dealt with first the applicants seeking to fill the position as Deputy Chief Elections Officer. Alexander said while the position as Logistics Coordinator is being viewed as a junior post, in their view, judging from its Terms of Reference, it fulfills the duties of the Deputy Chief Elections Officer. However, the post is yet to be filled.
Alexander argued that the agency’s constitution empowers the Chief Elections Officer to hire junior staff while senior staff appointments are filled through appointments by the Commission. The Opposition appointed Commissioner stated the vacancy was filled internally without any input from the Commission. Government-nominated Commissioner, Sase Gunraj, when asked about the appointment declined to comment. Since 2021, the election’s body has been trying to fill the vacancy of the Deputy CEO. Beverley Critchlow was appointed as Assistant Chief Election Officer (ACEO) in September last year. At the time of reviewing applications, Melanie Marshall, Neil Bacchus, Mohamed Arjoon, and Deodat Persaud were named as potential interviewees for the DCEO’s post.
Marshall was in April last year confirmed as the Voter Registration Manager. Marshall, however remains eligible for appointment to either post. The DCEO position became vacant subsequent to the termination of former CEO Lowenfield and Deputy Roxanne Myers contracts last August. The terminations were based on the grounds of allegations of misconduct that was levelled against them. They are currently before the City Magistrate’s Court defending the charges of alleged criminal misconduct during the 2020 general elections.
When GECOM advertised for the position of Deputy Chief Elections Officer (DCEO), it outlined that the individual will be responsible for ensuring that GECOM fulfills its mission of conducting all elections to the satisfaction of all stakeholders. The Deputy Chief Election Officer is also responsible for ensuring that a comprehensive Voters Education Programme is conducted to facilitate all eligible and registered persons exercising their vote. The position is seeking an individual with a Post Graduate Degree in Public Administration, Law, Management or relevant discipline and who possesses six years of experience in a senior management position overseeing and directing diverse operations aimed at achieving targets within specific deadlines.
