[www.inewsguyana.com] – A high level team led by General Secretary Clement Rohee of the People’s Progressive Party (PPP) met with the Guyana Elections Commission’s (GECOM’s) Chairman, Dr. Steve Surujbally at their Head Office in Kingston, Georgetown on Monday, January 13.
The Party in a statement this afternoon said the two hour long meeting saw the two sides engaging in frank discussions which they both concluded will contribute to free and fair elections thus satisfying the test of international best practices.
The meeting was in direct response to the request made by the PPP to discuss issues of concern to the Party and the opportunity to quiz GECOM on their plans to deal with issues that had impacted negatively on the 2011 elections and systems in place to prevent a recurrence in the anticipated 2015 elections.
“The meeting was very cordial and fruitful with a number of issues discussed and possible solutions brought to the table. Importantly, GECOM has agreed to engage in wider consultations with major political stakeholders and other interest groups in dealing with concerns that poses possible threats to the electoral process and in taking key decisions that will affect the electorate,” the statement noted.
The PPP General Secretary regarded this as the high point of the meeting; noting that the PPP has always been the front runner in calling for more inclusivity and collaboration at GECOM.
Among the issues raised and discussed were:Selection of Polling places and Public Awareness; on this note, GECOM indicated that steps will be taken to avoid as far as practicable the use of private residences as Polling Stations and to avoid last minute changes to Polling places
Further, the PPP delegation was informed that GECOM’s Permanent staff will serve as Information Clerks as against the inexperienced and lesser qualified staff.
Among other issues raised were recruitment of GECOM’s Polling Day Staff, folio for Polling Agents and rights and privileges of Candidates.
The PPP delegation reminded GECOM of the 2011 horrors experienced by PPP candidates and insisted that they should have never been allowed.
PPP reminded that during ‘E’ Day 2011, PPP candidates including the Party’s current General Secretary were denied their rights and prevented from entering polling stations, especially in Region 4.
The PPP General Secretary reminded GECOM too that the PPP fought long and hard for the implementation of electoral reforms and for the people of Guyana to enjoy free and fair elections.
These gains he said should be upheld and not be frittered away. The parties agreed to meet again, within a short time, to continue discussions on other issues which will ensure that future elections are transparent and credible.
Cockroach why you so scared, let me put your trembling heart at ease , the PPP will win the next elections, and the confused and waist of time parties who have done nothing will be grumbling and fighting all over again. The country will not have any changes and will be in a SAD state its in because Guyanese have 2 problems one indians will only vote for PPP and the rest of guyanese have the loosing PNC/APNU, forget about the rest of them they cant even find gear to start moving in any direction, We all know PPP raping the state funds ,but nothing is being done.
private residences as Polling Stations must be a resounding NO.. do it on the roads if U have to with cameras on…
avoid last minute changes to Polling places is a must..gecom must know what its doing in advance if not its not ready to hold elections.
GECOM’s Permanent staff will serve as Information Clerks as against the inexperienced and lesser qualified staff…Be very vigilant of those GECOM permanent information staff since their information will be final.
Among other issues raised were recruitment of GECOM’s Polling Day Staff, folio for Polling Agents and rights and privileges of Candidates…For this reason there must be cameras at all polling stations so that when Polling Agents walk out without signing off it would be recorded and the penalty must be very severe.
The PPP delegation reminded GECOM of the 2011 horrors experienced by PPP candidates and insisted that they should have never been allowed.
PPP must tell the Nation long before election what is put in place to ensure that what happened 2011 must never happen again.
PPP reminded that during ‘E’ Day 2011, PPP candidates including the Party’s current General Secretary were denied their rights and prevented from entering polling stations, especially in Region 4…Again I will say it, cameras must be installed at all polling stations so if this ever happens again it will be seen by the world who is preventing who from doing their jobs.
PPP and GECOM agreed to meet again soon. Why cant these meetings be televised for the world to see what is being discussed?