Information Technology (IT) Manager of the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM), Aneal Giddings, was on Tuesday appointed as the Deputy Chief Elections Officer (DCEO).
Giddings was appointed following a majority vote at a statutory meeting of the Commission.
Giddings was among four persons who were shortlisted for the post. The three others nominees were Melanie Marshall, Mohamed Arjoon and Deodat Persaud.
The DCEO post has been vacant since August last year following the termination of former Chief Elections Officer, Keith Lowenfield and his deputy, Roxanne Myers.
Both of their services were terminated based on the misconduct charges instituted against them stemming from the 2020 elections.
In its advertisement for the post, GECOM had listed that the DCEO will be responsible for ensuring that GECOM fulfills its mission of conducting all elections to the satisfaction of all stakeholders and that a comprehensive Voters Education Programme is conducted to facilitate all eligible and registered persons exercising their vote.
To fill the position, GECOM had said one is required to possess a Post Graduate Degree in Public Administration, Law, Management or a relevant discipline and possess six years of experience in a senior management position overseeing and directing diverse operations aimed at achieving targets within specific deadlines.
The APNU+AFC opposition and other political figures have recommended that GECOM add external persons to the interviewing panel, a suggestion that has already been voted down by the Chairman and the three People’s Progressive Party Civic (PPP/C) nominated Commissioners.
Over the past months, a number of other senior posts at GECOM were filled, including that of the Chief Elections Officer.
