By Mark DaCosta- As elections loom on September 1, tensions escalate at the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) over polling station relocations, culminating in a dramatic walkout by opposition-nominated commissioners. This disruption has thrown the electoral process into uncertainty just days before the nation heads to the polls.
The unfolding drama began during a statutory meeting where commissioners nominated by the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) requested a significant change to polling station locations. They sought to move a dozen or more polling venues from public buildings to private residences, triggering an immediate backlash from opposition commissioners. In protest, the latter exited the meeting, resulting in a loss of quorum — meaning no official decisions could be made. This walkout has raised serious doubts about GECOM’s ability to address crucial election matters before the upcoming polls.
Vincent Alexander, an opposition-nominated commissioner, explained the rationale behind the walkout, stating that the government-nominated commissioners, aided by the Chairperson, were attempting to push through changes to polling station locations that were no longer open to public debate. His remarks underscore a crucial point: the locations of polling places had already been publicised, and the time for objections had elapsed. Such late stage demands for change, in Alexander’s view, indicated a disregard for transparency and democratic norms.
Despite the opposition’s firm stance against these proposed changes, government-nominated commissioner Manoj Narayan defended the PPP/C’s intentions, stating that legal provisions allowed for such adjustments to ensure that polling places are accessible to voters. He referenced Section 66 of the Representation of the People Act, which mandates that polling sites must be located within a reasonable distance from where voters reside. Narayan contended that many polling locations were situated in inconvenient locations that would force voters to travel significant distances, particularly in areas like the East Coast, where residents could be expected to traverse neighboring villages just to cast their ballots.
However, this justification came under scrutiny as it was pointed out that a similar proposition had been raised weeks prior, suggesting that the timing of these requests was suspect. Narayan’s insistence on the necessity of relocating polling stations was seen by many as a last-minute ploy to shift the balance of the electoral playing field. The ongoing debate also highlighted GECOM’s controversial practice of using private residences as polling stations, a method critics argue could disenfranchise voters or compromise the integrity of the process.
Historical context adds further weight to these concerns. In previous elections, calls for reducing the number of private residences used as polling places gained traction following criticism from international observers, including the Carter Center and the European Union. These organisations had pointed out that private venues could lead to favouritism and a lack of oversight during polling. Previously, the number of such polling sites had been significantly cut from 166 in 2015 to 92 in 2020, a move attributed to a push for greater electoral integrity.
The legacy of former President David Granger’s caution regarding polling in private residences further underscores the lingering unease surrounding this practice. Granger, while acknowledging the necessity of some discretion in polling locations, expressed concern about the potential for mischief wherein politically connected individuals may dominate the use of private homes during elections.
As GECOM prepares for another meeting to resolve the current impasse, uncertainty looms. Should a quorum not be re-established, the Commission may proceed with unilateral decisions regarding the polling station controversy without the input of opposition commissioners. The upcoming days will be critical for the electoral process in our nation, and the decisions made will not only impact the immediate future but the integrity of our democracy at large. The situation continues to unfold, and all eyes will be on GECOM to see how they navigate this unprecedented chaos as the September 1 elections approach.
