Reforming GECOM should be the top priority of the next government

Dear Editor

It was good for many of us to read the Caricom Observers’ recent recommendation about reforming the structure of the Guyana Elections Commission. It is in fact quite supportive of the recommendation made by the Carter Center’s Observer team of 2006.
The actual quote was as follows:
a) “GECOM should be independent from the government and be accountable to and receive funding from the National Assembly. The independence of GECOM from the government’s administration will bolster the Commission’s credibility and independence.

1. b) The Carter-Price formula for GECOM should be changed to ensure that GECOM is not divided solely along political lines.

(I) GECOM should be composed of individuals who are solely committed to carrying out a successful and transparent elections process, and who have the confidence of political parties, but who can also maintain independence, as noted in The Carter Center’s report on the 2001 elections, ”As part of electoral reform efforts, Guyana should give careful consideration to alternative models, possibly reducing or eliminating political party representation and increasing the role of independent members of civil society and professional experts.”

(II) Gender representation should be ensured in GECOM’s composition.

1. c) Communication between GECOM, the political parties, civil society, and election observers needs to improve. This can be achieved through the establishment of a liaison office to coordinate communication with political parties, observer groups, and civil society. Such an office would need adequate staffing and funding.

(I) GECOM’s transparency will be elevated by additional communication with these parties, and could easily be achieved through publication of GECOM meeting minutes or a summary of such minutes.
(II) Improved communication will also strengthen the relationship between GECOM and domestic observer groups.

1. d) Ensure that appropriate legal remedies be exercised in considering challenges to the electoral results. In addition, new legislation should be debated that provides for correcting results, if evidence is later provided that errors were made in determining the composition of the National Assembly.
2. e) Speed up reporting of the vote count. This might be achieved using electronic means to transmit preliminary results. Such means should be tested thoroughly before the next general elections, if possible, during local government elections.

Please note that the above along with other observations and comments were submitted after several meetings. The Carter Center leadership delegation met with the following:
– President Jagdeo
– RNCR-1G leader Robert Corbin
– Leaders of the AFC
– GECOM Chairman
As well as the:
– European Union
– Commonwealth
– US; and CARICOM ambassadors and group leaders
– Senior Civil Society leaders”
This construct was, however, studiously ignored by all interested parties, despite being one known to obtain in Barbados, Jamaica and other Commonwealth member states e.g. Canada, Australia. One hopes that all the current relevant commentators will together insist that this electoral reform be a priority objective of the next government. All parties, great and small, should be required to commit to ensuring that such a target be achieved as expeditiously as possible.

Yours truly,
E.B. John