GECOM meets President, Opposition Leader on Elections safeguards

• Government to spend $12M on polling agents for each station

Georgetown, GINA, August 3, 2006

“We met on the safeguards that have been instituted so that no contesting political party would feel in no way disenfranchised or disadvantaged. I think that we had a very good meeting-both of the leaders of the major parties have in fact signed on to our safeguards and our next step is meeting with other political parties and explaining to them our safeguards for polling day.”

These were the words of Chairman of the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) Dr. Steve Surujbally after he concluded a meeting on Elections safeguards with President Bharrat Jagdeo and Opposition Leader Robert Corbin and their representatives at the Office of the President.

At a subsequent media conference, President Jagdeo noted that “We had excellent discussions. GECOM made quite an extensive presentation about the safeguards to ensure smooth and efficient conduct of elections on polling day.”

And in an invited comment after the meeting, Corbin said the safeguards presented to the Parties were scrutinised and further suggestions made.

“It is to hope that the commitments made will be honoured on that particular day. As I said to the Chairman of the Guyana Elections Commission, having regard to our track record, I would not offer any commendatory statement until the end of the elections when those safeguards have indeed been applied on Elections day...It’s a good step. All be it a little too late, but let’s hope it works,” he said.

The safeguards GECOM will institute for transparency on the August 28 polling day include identification of the voter, the use of indelible i nk, Party agents, security, voter education, efficient conduct of the polls, absent electors/deceased electors, counting of ballots at place of poll, domestic and international observers and assistance from political Parties.

“…With all of these assurances, I think that we are reasonably satisfied that GECOM is ready for efficient polling day activities and I am pleased that the two parties met with GECOM and we were given these assurances and that we have put in place additional features. We are spending a bit more money, but I think it is money well spent,” he said.

The government will transfer $12M to GECOM to pay two polling agents who will be in each polling station on elections day-one from the ruling Party and one from the combined Opposition.

“That list would be provided to GECOM by the Leader of the Opposition. So once those polling day agents are accredited they would then be paid by GECOM from funds the Government of Guyana would provide. This will ensure that only persons who are eligible to vote, do so,” President Jagdeo said.

When asked about GECOM’s preparations for the Elections, its Chairman replied, “I am superbly enthused.”

President Jagdeo also noted that reassurances of the Commission’s preparedness were given to both Leaders.

This meeting with the two major political Parties and GECOM stemmed from pre-Nominations Day discussions between the leaders of the parties, during which concerns were raised about safeguards during the elections. Consequently President Jagdeo undertook to arrange the meeting with GECOM.

Below is a list of the safeguards, which aim at preventing multiple voting, other forms of skullduggery and any potential for dissatisfaction on Elections day.

 

1. Identification of the Voter

Before an elector is allowed to vote, he/she will be properly identified as the person he/she claims to be. In order to facilitate this, GECOM has placed electors' photographs alongside their names on the folio at the Polling Stations. Voters’ photo ID will be compared with that on the Voters’ List.

2. The Use of Indelible Ink

In the voting process, electors will be required to dip the first joint of their right index finger in indelible ink. The wet ink on their finger tips will not be wiped off as has been the practice in past elections. Before electors are allowed to vote, their fingers will be examined for traces of indelible ink. If traces of indelible ink are found on an elector's fingers, it will be presumed that he/she had already voted and will not be allowed to vote again.

3. Party Agents

There will be Political Party Agents at the Polling Stations throughout the elections process on Election Day to witness the physical identification of voters and the examination of their hands for traces of indelible ink.

4. The Presence of Security Personnel from the Guyana Police Force

Ranks from the Guyana Police Force will be present at all Polling Stations throughout Election Day to assist the Presiding Officers in ensuring that the election process is executed in a lawful and orderly manner. In addition, personnel from the Disciplined Services will be stationed at the GECOM Headquarters and at all of GECOM's Annexes and the President has assured that the Army will be deployed at strategic locations.

5. Voter Education

GECOM has embarked on a highly publicised voter education campaign aimed at informing electors about their rights and responsibilities as voters, and to dissuade them from becoming involved in skullduggery

6. Efficient Conduct of the Polls

During the training of Returning Officers, Presiding Officers and all other levels of Polling Day staff, emphasis was placed on the need for them to always carry out their respective responsibilities in a manner that will not cast any shadow of doubt on the election process and the emerging results. GECOM has emphasised that Polling Day staff would be held accountable and even prosecuted for any irregularity which could result in the outcome of the elections being besmirched. .

7. Absent Electors/Electors who are now deceased

No one can vote on behalf of deceased electors whose names are possibly still on the voters' list. The photographs on the folios at each Polling Station will preclude anyone from trying to vote in the place of deceased electors.

8. Counting of Ballots at Place of Poll

As provided for by law, ballots cast will be counted at the respective Places of Poll. Each Presiding Officer will sign the Statement of Poll. Each of the Party Agents present will also sign as an attestation that he/she is satisfied with the counting and recording of the votes.

9. Domestic and International Observers

Domestic and International Observers that have been accredited by GECOM will be monitoring the election process countrywide with a view to contributing to it being conducted in accordance with international practice.

10. Assistance from Political Parties

GECOM calls upon all Political Parties and other Social/Civic Organisations to appeal to their respective supporters and membership not to attempt in any way to thwart the successful conduct of the elections by attempting to vote more than once, or act in any manner which could impede the successful conduct of the elections.

11. Transparent Ballot Boxes

The transparency of the voting process will be buttressed by the use of transparent ballot boxes that have been procured specifically with this objective in mind. This move will guarantee that the contents of the ballot boxes are always in view of all categories of personnel and stakeholders.

 

According to President Jagdeo, GECOM, being aware of a claim that the number of Polling Stations countrywide for the 2006 elections was significantly lower than the number in the 2001 elections, has established in excess of 1,950 stations, as against 1,893 for the last elections. As a result, each polling station would cater for more than 450 listed electors, instead of 500 electors as in the 2001 elections.

 

TOP