Unresolved Opposition representation continues to stymie GECOM’s decision-making

The Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) has acknowledged the need for urgent action to resolve the outstanding issue surrounding the composition of the Commission, saying the matter continues to constrain its collective deliberative and decision-making functions.

In a statement issued on Tuesday, GECOM said the issue of Opposition representation on the Commission remains unresolved among the Opposition Parliamentary Parties, despite the convening of Parliament following the 2025 General and Regional Elections.

The Commission said its chairman’s position has consistently been guided by Article 161(3)(b) of the Constitution and the need to ensure that the body operates with a constitutionally sound composition that reflects the applicable constitutional arrangements.

According to GECOM, the Chairman had previously referred to the convening of Parliament on the expectation that, following the 2025 elections and the emergence of a new Leader of the Opposition, the matter of appointing Opposition representatives to the Commission would have been addressed urgently.

However, the issue remains active among the Opposition Parliamentary Parties and has not yet been resolved. The Commission said it was therefore regrettable that the Chairman’s adherence to her constitutional position had been characterised as a unilateral or arbitrary freezing of its operations.

Nevertheless, GECOM acknowledged that urgent attention was required to resolve the matter, adding that appropriate legislative intervention, if considered necessary by the relevant constitutional authorities, could help bring clarity and a resolution.

The unresolved composition issue also comes against the background of several matters awaiting the Commission’s consideration, including an evaluation of the 2025 General and Regional Elections, further electoral modernisation, implementation of recommendations made by election observers and preparations for Local Government Elections.

Other outstanding matters identified include the finalisation of administrative manuals and the filling of critical vacancies. Distinction between administrative & statutory responsibilities

GECOM said it recognised the importance of these matters but explained that a distinction must be made between the administrative and statutory responsibilities of the Secretariat and issues requiring deliberation, policy direction or formal approval by the Commission.

The Secretariat, it said, would continue undertaking activities within its authorised mandate and operational capacity, while matters requiring decisions must be addressed through the appropriate institutional processes.

It cautioned against attributing every matter awaiting the Commission’s consideration to administrative inaction or a failure by the Secretariat to carry out its responsibilities.

GECOM said it remained committed to strengthening Guyana’s electoral administration and continuing those institutional improvements that do not require prior decisions by the Commission. The organisation expressed hope that the outstanding constitutional and institutional matters would receive the necessary attention, allowing its collective deliberative and decision-making functions to resume without further delay.

The statement was issued in response to a letter by Opposition Commissioner Vincent Alexander, published under the caption, “’Comatose’ GECOM needs urgent judicial or legislative intervention.”