Elections Specialist – Vincent Alexander – has advised the People’s National Congress Reform (PNCR) to postpone its 21st Biennial Congress to December 18, 2021 to facilitate a smooth and transparent process.
Ahead of the much anticipated Congress, which is scheduled for Saturday, December 11, PNCR’s Central Executive Committee (CEC) took a decision to have Alexander – the appointed Chief Elections Officer (CEO) – review the systems in place for the Congress.
Alexander was given five days – December 4-8 – to conclude his review, which is currently the subject of a meeting of the CEC.
In his report to the CEC, which was seen by the Village Voice Newspaper, Alexander said his advice to postpone the Congress by one week is based on documents provided by Winston Felix – who is in charge of the Electoral Committee and Mortimer Mingo – Chairman of the Accreditation Committee.
“With those documents and information at my disposal and the knowledge of what is necessary for the successful holding of the elections on December 11, 2021, I have come to the conclusion that pertinent materials are still not available. For example, the voters` lists and ballot papers are still being prepared. Though they are promised within 24 hrs., in my considered opinion, there is insufficient time to guarantee their delivery to the places of poll, in a timely manner,” Alexander explained in his report.
It was noted too that officials and candidates alike are still to be consulted on procedural matters that require their fiat, including the schedule for the movement of materials to the places of poll.
Due to the current state of affairs, Alexander told the CEC that he cannot recommend nor undertake the holding of the elections on December 11, 2021.
He said if the Congress is postponed as advised, candidates should be consulted no later than Sunday, December 12, and officials briefed by Monday, December 13, including arranging for them to have phones and data to transmit the results of the count.
It was also recommended that the voters’ lists and ballot papers should be ready by Wednesday, December 14.
“In the aforementioned circumstances, I am prepared to work towards a free, fair and free from fear elections on December 18, 2021,” Alexander said.
