By Jomo Paul
[www.inewsguyana.com] – Chairman of the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM), Dr Steve Surujbally says the electoral body will not be made to face the brunt of any political party in the run up to elections because of the Party’s fear of losing at the May 11 polls.
Dr Surujbally’s statement comes even as the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) continues to raise concerns about the work of the electoral body and its ability to deliver free, fair and transparent elections at the upcoming elections.
The GECOM Chairman, speaking at a one-day training session for media operatives on the conduct of elections, said it is normal for any political party that is fearful of losing an election to attempt to cast blame on the electoral body.
However, he warned against parties doing such, since it seeks to create the false image that GECOM is not able to deliver an election that can withstand scrutiny.
“The attacks coming to us…tend to make us believe that perhaps they can’t make it so [they say] let’s start blaming GECOM,” said Surujbally.
He maintained that at this point it is important to ensure that the May 11 polls are conducted in manner that is free of social disturbances and scandals.
“We want an election that is peaceful, we want an election that is not scandalous,” Dr Surujbally belaboured, while urging that journalists be more responsible in their coverage of Guyana’s elections.
He said too that an “election is the single most important tile in the mosaic of democracy,” hence it is important to note that GECOM’s team will do nothing to negatively affect the conduct of elections.
Both the Alliance For Change (AFC) and A Partnership For National Unity (APNU) have said that they are confident in GECOM’s ability to deliver credible elections.
