[www.inewsguyana.com] – The European Union (EU) recruited two experts to support the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) in its capacity building activities upon request from Government and the Commission. In this regard an International Technical Assessor and Information Communication Technology Specialist were recruited.
The two experts were welcomed yesterday by Dr. Steve Surujbally and EU Ambassador to Guyana, Robert Kopecký at the start of their assignment.
Each expert has been recruited for a maximum of 190 days.
A release from the EU Delegation stated that “this specific form of EU support to GECOM is part of a long-term Guyana – EU partnership and is not directly related to the current political developments.”
The experts are funded from the EU-Guyana Technical Cooperation Facility.
The International Technical Assessor will advise GECOM on compliance so that the canfurther streamline international standards for elections. They will also assist the Commission and its staff in the adoption of good practices in their preparations for and the conduct of future elections.
They are tasked with providing technical assistance to the Information Technology Department of GECOM. The technical advice includes critically analyzing the systems and operating procedures of Divisions of GECOM and recommending the most suitable computer programmes and systems.
“Mr Alexander Gray (UK), as ITA and Mr. Daniel Piret (Belgium), as ICTS were selected based on their profound experience in their respective fields. The evaluation panel included GECOM deputy commissioners nominated from different political parties. Mr. Grey was engaged in around thirty technical assistance and election observation missions working with and for Election Management Bodies. Mr. Piret has been providing ICT consultancy on governance and elections over the last four decades. Both experts have worked around the globe including assignments in the Caribbean.”
