Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo believes that if the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) immediately abandons its ongoing House to House registration and move to a Claims and Objection period, then general and regional elections can be held by October month-end.
At a press conference held at his Church Street, Georgetown Office, the Opposition Leader said that the Peoples’ Progressive Party (PPP) nominated GECOM Commissioners have set out a timeline for the holding of elections.
“I’ve seen the timeline, if you do that on Monday – the claims and objection, you can achieve end of October. If they move now, we can have an elections,” Jagdeo told reporters Thursday.
The Opposition Leader said he does not trust the December date being peddled by members of the Government.
“It’s probably to give people a sense of comfort, I don’t trust them, even the December date is suspect for me. We believe elections can be held long before December and if you pursue the claims and objections which is the only way forward now…and start preparing for elections,” the Opposition Leader contended.
After meeting for more than three hours on Wednesday, GECOM failed to reach a decision on the way forward for new general elections as mandated by the constitution upon the passage of the December 21 No Confidence motion.
The contentious issue is what method should be used to prepare a voters list for the elections and the soonest time this could be done.
The Commission has started house to house registration to produce a new Voter’s List, and this process could remove those who are overseas.
The Chief Justice (ag) Roxane George-Wiltshire recently ruled that it would be unconstitutional to remove persons from the list if they are not found at home when registration officers visit.
Meanwhile, Jagdeo at his news conference said the fate of 800,000 Guyanese have been put on hold since the passage of the No-Confidence motion.
“We are in a state of limbo. Since March 21, we have had unconstitutional rule.
“Many people are uncertain as to how to engage with this Government because we’ve made it clear that much of what they’re doing is illegal.
“In another part of the world, this would be described as a dictatorship. We’ve been a bit more generous in saying its unconstitutional rule.”
The Opposition Leader remains adamant in his view that the Government nominated Commissioners at GECOM are delaying the process.
“Anyone when the history of Guyana would be written… how the Commissioners at GECOM, particularly a particular group, the Government Commissioners and the former Chairman, how they have not just abdicated their responsibility, I believe a criminal act, by not preparing for elections since December 21 last year and even at this stage, they’re persisting in going down a route that would delay the elections further.”
Jagdeo said GECOM needs to make a decision urgently.
“They must understand too – the Commission –that his country is on hold…every day that passes by is another stressful day for 800,000 people who don’t know where we’re going.”
