GECOM hiring 14, 000 temporary staff for Local Government Elections  

The Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) is set to hire some 14, 000 temporary employees as it readies itself for the holding of Local Government Elections (LGE) this year.

The revelation was made by Parliamentary Affairs and Governance Minister Gail Teixeira on Monday as the Committee of Supply approved a total of $5.2 billion for GECOM.

This is an increase from the $4 billion given to GECOM last year but Teixeira explained that the additional $1.2 billion will be for the holding of those elections.

The minister was called on to specifically explain an $800 million increase in the allocation for operating expenses by Opposition Parliamentarian Khemraj Ramjattan.

It was during her response that Teixeira told the Committee that GECOM will be hiring 14, 000 temporary staff for LGE.

Buildings will also have to be rented for these elections.

Last year, a sum of $783 million was set aside for Local Government Elections out of the total $4.1 billion approved for GECOM.

Teixeira said Monday that some of that money was returned to the Consolidated Fund since no elections were held.

A new date is to be announced for LGE with a challenge to the approved list thwarting plans to run off those polls on March 13, 2023 as was previously announced.

Plans are afoot to update the list.