The Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) will now have to take steps to fill the vacant posts of its Chief Accountant and its Legal Officer.
This is according to government nominated Commissioner, Bibi Shadick, who said that while the Chief Accountant, Joseph Eastman’s contract was not renewed, the Legal Officer, Excellence Dazzell, has resigned.
She told the News Room that they were both found to be doing private work in their respective fields in breach of their contracts and were sent on vacation leave when she [Shadick) brought the matter to the attention of the Commission.
Eastman had initially sought to fight moves by the three government nominated GECOM Commissioners who were not in favour of renewing his contract.
But according to Shadick, while the Commission was meeting on Tuesday to discuss the continued employment of its Chief Elections Officer (CEO), Keith Lowenfield; his Deputy, Roxanne Myers and District #4 Returning Officer, Clairmont Mingo, Eastman submitted a letter indicating that he no longer wished to have his contract renewed.
“He has not been doing a proper job, the Auditor General reports are there and I found that he was engaged in private business,” Shadick said.
She explained that when the allegations were put to Eastman, he did not deny them but claimed that he was given permission by the former GECOM CEO, Gocool Boodoo, to do his private business.
“He made that claim but he had nothing in writing so he has gone and we will have to find someone to replace him,” she added.
There was a similar issue with Dazzel, who was also reportedly found to be engaged in private practice while working at GECOM and in breach of her contract.
According to Shadick, she had moved a motion asking for the Legal Officer to be removed.
“She did not doubt it… she also said the previous Chairman, who is Mr. Patterson, gave her permission… she went on leave and she resigned,” she added.
