Probe into GECOM’s hiring practices completed – ERC

An investigation into the hiring practices of the Guyana Elections Commission has been completed.

GECOM’s hiring practices were hauled under the microscope after the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) GECOM Commissioners Bibi Shadick, Sase Gunraj and Robeson Benn pointed out a few flaws regarding the ethnic composition of the workforce of the secretariat.

The Commissioners filed a complaint with the Ethnic Relations Commission – which is responsible for promoting harmony in the country – and an investigation was launched.
After several months, the probe is finally completed but the ERC Chair, Reverend John Smith told the Evening News that the next move is to meet with the complainants.

Smith said that he could not share the findings of that probe until the Commission meets with the Opposition Commissioners.

He also refused to disclose how much money was spent to hire the Consultant, retired Judge and Senior Counsel Stanley Moore, who spearheaded the probe.

The Chairman would only say that ERC is expected to hold its statutory meeting on Thursday where a date for the meeting with the PPP Commissioners will be discussed.

Meanwhile, PPP Commissioner, Bibi Shadick explained that she was unaware the probe was completed.

Nonetheless, she was dissatisfied that the investigation took this long to wrap up.

The outcome of this investigation is considered critical since GECOM, at this time, is expected to hire more staff for the imminent national elections, which are constitutionally due by March 21, 2019.