Local Government Elections will be held this year – Dharamlall

Minister of Local Government and Regional Development, Nigel Dharamlall on Thursday announced that Local Government Elections (LGE), slated for 2021, will be held before the year comes to a close.

The minister said he has the responsibility to announce the date for these elections after consultations with the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM), and he intends to do so.

Dharamlall said the People’s Progressive Party/Civic has already allocated monies in the 2021 budget for the holding of these elections; he stopped short of saying the amount of funding made available.

The Local Government Minister supported sentiments expressed by President Irfaan Ali and other senior members of the government that before those elections are held, GECOM needs to be fixed.

Dharamlall said those GECOM officials currently before the courts on charges of electoral fraud will need to be removed from the electoral body in order for Guyanese to have confidence in the process.

He singled out the Chief Elections Officer, Keith Lowenfield, in making his point. But also before the Court is Lowenfield’s Deputy, Roxanne Myers and District Four Returning Officer, Clairmont Mingo.

Dharamlall said he is excited about the hosting of LGE, noting that the elections will expose how Guyanese all across Guyana, including supporters of the APNU+AFC Coalition, are dissatisfied with its performance.

With LGE constitutionally due this year, several persons have expressed the belief that GECOM is simply not ready to roll off those elections.

GECOM’s Chairman, Justice (retired) Claudette Singh had said previously that a new voters list is needed before those elections are held.