GECOM to interview for Legal Officer this week, will advertise again for Chief Accountant

Months after it filled the vacant position of Chief Elections Officer (CEO) with at least six other senior positions remaining vacant, the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) will interview for a Legal Officer this week.

The News Room understands that the interview will take place on Thursday. The Commission had previously shortlisted four persons to be interviewed – Shareefa Parks, Kurt DaSilva, Kimberley Yearwood and Felicia Toby.

Following a meeting of the Commission on Tuesday, GECOM Commissioner Bibi Shadick told the News Room that there will be a period of re-advertising for the Chief Accountant post.

Shadick said this advertisement will be out this weekend and will run for two weeks.

Those previously shortlisted for the Chief Accountant post did not have the requisite public accounts expertise, Shadick said.

“They are highly qualified accountants who can be employed all over but what we want is to have someone who can come and take over the position… we don’t want to have to train people in Guyana’s public accounting system,” Shadick explained.

Another Commissioner, Sase Gunraj confirmed that GECOM was looking to ascertain suitability and eligibility by matching qualifications and experience.

For the Deputy Chief Elections Officer (DCEO) post, the Commission is yet to make a decision with Shadick indicating that there has also been requests for this position to also be re-advertised.

The shortlisted candidates are Melanie Marshall, Neil Bacchus, Mohamed Arjoon and Deodat Persaud.

The other outstanding vacancy at GECOM includes the Assistant Chief Elections Officer (ACEO); those shortlisted are Delon Clarke, Noland Jervis, Melanie Marshall, Paul Jaisingh, Mohamed Arjoon, Neil Bacchus, Deolall Ramlall, Deodat Persaud, Natasha Grenion Dipchand, Andrea Sparman, Duarte Hetsberger and Colin April.

The other posts are Civic and Voter Education Manager for which 17 persons have been shortlisted and Logistics Manager for which 24 persons have been shortlisted.

GECOM will need to fill all of these vacancies in time for the holding of Local Government Elections later this year.