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GECOM says all Disciplined Services members given equal opportunity to vote in LGE

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Members of the Guyana Defence Force line up to cast their votes (Photo: News Room/June 2, 2023)

See the full statement from the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) below:

The Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) has noted the contents of  an article published in the Monday, 5th June 2023 edition of the Stabroek News with the headline,  “Alexander accuses GECOM of disenfranchising 10% of joint services voters.” In this regard, it is the  responsibility of this election body to dismiss such a level of disinformation and confounded allegations;  especially since the sentiments in the article are attributed to a GECOM Commissioner.

Consequently, it must therefore be emphasized that GECOM did NOT Disenfranchise any Member of the  Disciplined Forces i.e., the Guyana Police Force, the Guyana Defence Force, and the Guyana Prison  Service. In fact, all the Ranks from the respective Forces were given an equal opportunity to cast their ballots in the Local Government Elections on Friday, 2nd June 2023, as provided for in the Local Authorities  (Elections) Act, Cap 28:03, and which is also the usual practice in an effort to ensure adequate national  security at all times, especially on Elections Day.

In view of the foregoing, it is of crucial importance to outline the methodology used by GECOM to prepare  the ‘Register of Ranks’ who are eligible to vote in the elections. In keeping with the usual practice, the  preparation for the conduct of Disciplined Forces Balloting commenced months in advance and involved  constant communication between senior officials of the respective Forces and the Ballot Officers, Mr. Nardeo  Persaud, for the Guyana Police Force, Ms. Areana Britton, for the Guyana Defence Force, and Ms. Sharon  Jethu, for the Guyana Prison Service, the Chief Election Officer, Mr. Vishnu Persaud and the Deputy Chief  Election Officer, Mr. Aneal Giddings to ensure that in the first instance GECOM receive lists of all the officers  employed by the Guyana Police Force, the Guyana Defence Force, and the Guyana Prison Service  respectively.

When those lists were received, they were verified against the National Register of Registrants Database  (NRRDB) to determine the eligibility of each officer to vote in the LGE due to the fact that only persons who  were registered in a Local Authority Area (LAA) were required to vote in these elections. Hence, it must be

highlighted for emphasis, that the ‘Register of Ranks’ to vote on Disciplined Services Balloting Day is  prepared based on the list submitted to GECOM by the respective Forces.

Further, once it was determined who were the officers eligible to vote at LGE, the location where the officers  are stationed was requested by GECOM. This information then allowed for GECOM in consultation with the  respective Disciplined Force to establish Balloting Stations across the country and for GECOM to logistically  prepare to ensure that the officers vote where they are stationed, using a ballot that is applicable to the LAA  where they are registered.

Moreover, it must be clarified that GECOM ensured that names of the ranks were placed on a list where they  were stationed and it was displayed at all the Balloting Stations countrywide prior to Disciplined Forces  Balloting Day. Additionally, the Ballot Officers visited all districts and conducted civic and voter education  sessions with the officers of the respective Forces to ensure that they were well informed about checking  the lists and the voting process. These mechanisms were further supplemented with the presence of GECOM  Information Clerks at all the Balloting Stations to provide guidance to the officers.

It must also be noted that officers who did not vote on Disciplined Forces Balloting Day still have an  opportunity to do so on Local Government Elections Day, Monday, 12th June, 2023 when the rest of the  country will vote. However, they will have to vote in the Local Authority Area / Constituency where they are  registered.

Against this backdrop, for anyone to accuse GECOM of willfully disenfranchising members of the Disciplined  Forces is malicious and intended to discredit a transparent and efficient process that was evidently  successful. The Guyana Elections Commission takes this opportunity to remind all stakeholders, especially  voters that its procedures are guided by the legal provisions and reassures them that they can expect an  election that is free, fair, transparent, and credible.

 

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