The irregularities emerging after the Nomination Day for Local Government Elections should be of concern to every citizen appreciative of the right to vote, to participate in a process free from taint and fear, and to see the declaration of results reflecting the true will of the people.
Unfortunately, in our beloved Guyana, basic requirements often go awry not due to the absence of regulations but the absence of people’s commitment to adhere to regulations that would build confidence in the organisation. The Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) is an organisation that continues to be of concern.
My participation in the protest Tuesday in front of GECOM was to further register dissatisfaction with the management of our electoral system. This is another form of protest outside of the court proceedings that have been filed so far on the 2020 General and Regional Elections, which are largely based on the fraudulent activities of the government and the fraud that has been permitted and encouraged by GECOM.
Guyanese, irrespective of race, class or political association have to understand that most, and almost every single problem in recent time, relating to election or any election in this country, stands and falls at the feet of GECOM Chairperson, Ms. Claudette Singh S.C.
The Elections Commission consists of seven commissioners and the Chairperson votes consistently with the People’s Progressive Party (PPP). In the context of GECOM, any decision basically comes down to the decision of Chairperson Singh.
When we had the situation of the failure to have a proper recount in the 2020 Elections, and then the recount results properly processed, Chairperson Singh used her deciding vote to validate a fraudulent process.
The citizens’ desire to have a proper report and proper investigation for the 2020 election was voted down principally by Chairperson Singh.
The failure to have any proper review of what could likely happen at this upcoming Local Government Elections is Chairperson Singh.
The fact that nominations continue to come and expose the fraud, throughout the length and breadth of this country, is the failure of Chairperson Singh to put in place proper measures to deal with and address the situation.
The failure to put in place biometrics as a method in resolving the issue of voter impersonation; the failure to put in place the proper mechanism including house-to-house registration process; a proper verification process of the Register of Voters list, is the result of Chairperson Singh.
The failure to ensure strict adherence to the elections law, in which I had to go to court to file legal proceedings to force GECOM to comply with the Local Government Elections Act is Chairperson Singh.
So, the future of the country and the failure of democracy is not just the PPP alone. The greatest threat to this country and the freedom of the people right now is Chairperson Singh. And that is the emphasis that we should be focused on right now.
In the prevailing situation Chairperson Singh has given this nation no hope we can envisage now, or anytime in the future under her chairmanship, there can be an election consistent with the electoral laws.
There is little or no hope for the majority of Guyanese, including those supportive of the PPP, there would be the required safeguard to ensure every eligible person can participate in the election process and have his or her vote counted.
Ms. Singh has made the case against herself and it is time she resigns and goes home.
