Earliest date for LGE is March 13 – GECOM tells Local Gov’t Minister  

After weeks of discussions and planning, the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) has decided on a period for the holding of long overdue local government polls.

In a letter to Local Government Minister Nigel Dharmalall, the Chairman of GECOM, Justice (retired) Claudette Singh, has informed that the earliest possible date for the conduct of Local Government Elections (LGE) is March 13, 2023.

She advises too that elections be held at this time or no later than April 24, 2023.

She said GECOM has developed a work plan for the conduct of LGE in accordance with relevant existing legislation.

“This information is provided to you to assist with the fulfillment of Section 35(1) of the Local Authorities (Elections) Act, Chapter 28:03,” the letter noted.

This Act empowers the Minister to now set a date for the holding of LGE.

A total of $783 million was allocated for LGE and approved by the National Assembly during the consideration of the 2022 Budget Estimates in February this year.

Monies were also allocated in the 2021 Budget for LGE but those elections were not held, as top government officials maintained that issues at GECOM needed to be fixed.