Gov’t calls on GECOM to publish applicants of proxy voting

By Tracey Khan – Drakes

[www.inewsguyana.com] – Government is calling on the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) to make public the applicants for proxy voting and those that have been granted proxy status for the upcoming elections.

This call was delivered by cabinet spokesman, Dr. Roger Luncheon on Wednesday, April 29 at his post cabinet media briefing at the office of the President.

Proxy voting is a process where a ballot is cast by one person on behalf of another who has been authorized to do such.

According to GECOM, an elector is entitled to vote by proxy if he is unable to go to the Polling Station where he/she is listed to vote due to several circumstances. This applies to rural constable, members of the disciplined services, employees of the Transport and Harbors Department who would be working on Election Day and blind persons or those who suffer any form of physical disability.

Application to vote by Proxy can be presented to the Returning Officer for the Electoral District in which the application is being made from April 08 to May 01, 2015.

Meanwhile, Dr Luncheon also reiterated the administration’s call for public vetting of polling day staff; however the Commission has said it could affect its employment drive and the target numbers.

The Cabinet Secretary also criticized GECOM for what he said were uncertainties surrounding its management of the elections. He noted that additional work on building confidence needs to continue by the Commission to ensure its stakeholders are satisfied with its level of preparedness.

According to Dr Luncheon, the Commission needs to be more careful of the private residence it is selecting for polling places. He said the People’s Progressive Party has received news that ‘rum shops’ are being earmarked as polling places, a move that the Party has objected to.

Meanwhile, so far several international organizations have been confirmed to observe Guyana’s upcoming May 11 polls.

Among the organization to be present in Guyana are the Carter Center, the Commonwealth the Caribbean Community – CARICOM, United Nations, Organization of American States (OAS) and the Union of South American Nations (UNASUR).

Some of those organizations are already in Guyana to monitor the ongoing campaign activities. Dr. Luncheon added that government has been somewhat unsuccessful in its efforts to have all the missions in Guyana ahead of ‘E’ day and to even have some observers remain after the results are announced to ensure voters accept the new government peacefully.

However, already a few of the observer’s mission have confirmed their willingness to remain after the polls are announced to continue their work. The government of Suriname has agreed to field an observer mission to Guyana as well.