GECOM hires US firm to provide technical support

An independent body, the International Republican Institute (IRI), through the US Embassy, has been contracted to provide technical support to the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM), by aiding the civic and voter education package. This entails providing the Commission with assistance in delivering free, fair and efficient elections.

During a Press Conference held yesterday at GECOM’s head office, Chief Elections Officer (CEO), Keith Lowenfield highlighted that the Commission has had deliberations with the Institute, particularly Mr. David Hamilton.

According to Lowenfield, “The content he (Hamilton) will be using for the education practice is enshrined in our laws; therefore, the processes that he will be articulating through the many groups that he will be hiring is that the content is one and the same as our laws prescribe.”
Lowenfield indicated that these advisors will not be impeding on the role of the commission, but rather, provide support on the most suitable practices.

The International Republican Institute (IRI) is a nonprofit organisation committed to advancing freedom and democracy worldwide by helping political parties to become more issue-based.

Additionally, Chair of the Commission, Justice (Retired) Claudette Singh stated that the agency intends to contract two persons from the Commonwealth Secretariat as “Senior Electoral Advisors”. Two of the officials, Kwadwo Afari-Gyan, former chairman of the Ghana Electoral Commission and Syed Nasim Ahmad Zaidi, former Elections Commissioner of India are expected to be here as of early January to be advisors to the Chairman as well as to oversee the election process.

Furthermore, former Canadian Chief Electoral Officer, Jean-Pierre Kingsley will also be retained to provide technical assistance to the Commission.
Dr. Zaidi worked in regulatory framework both at national and international levels and has been associated with the conduct of fair and free General Elections in over 20 states.

Dr. Kodwo is a Ghanaian academic, political scientist and election administrator. He was Chairman of the Electoral Commission of Ghana from 1993 to 2015.
The civil and voter education package is expected to commence in January.