Applications for observer status submitted to GECOM

Ahead of the Local Government Elections (LGE) being contested next month, the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) has received almost a dozen applications from local groups seeking observer status.

GECOM) on April 12, 2023 issued a call for applications to accredit local/domestic Election Observes.

Evergreen/Paradise (Region 2)

7. Municipality Of Anna Regina (Region 2)

8. Aberdeen/Zorgen-Vlygt (Region 2)

9. Annadale/Riverstown (Region 2)

10. Good Hope/Pomona (Region 2)

REGION 3

11. Canals Polder (Region 3) 12. La Grange/Nismes (Region 3)

13. Toevlugt/Free & Easy (Region 3)

51. Zeelust-Rosignol (Region 5)

52. Blairmont/Gelderland (Region 5)

Region 6

53. Plegt Anker/Kortberaad (Region 6)

54. Wyburg/Caracas (Region 6)

55. Enfield/New Doe Park (Region 6)

56. Municipality Of New Amsterdam (Region 6)

57. Gibraltar/Fyrish (Region 6)

58. Ordnance Fort Lands/No. 38 (Region 6)

59. Canefield/Enterprise (Region 6)

60. Kintyre/Borlam (Region 6)

61. Kilcoy/Hampshire (Region 6)

62. Municipality Of Rose Hall (Region 6)

63. Port Mourant/Johns (Region 6)

64. Bloomfield/Whim (Region 6)

65. Lancaster/Hogstye (Region 6)

66. Adventure/No. 28 (Bush Lot) (Region 6)

67. Maida/Tarlogie (Region 6)

68. Black Bush Polder (Region 6)

69. Macedonia/Joppa (Region 6)

70. Good Hope/No. 51 (Region 6)

71. No. 52/No. 63 (Region 6)

72. No. 64/No. 74 (Region 6)

73. Crabwood Creek/Moleson Creek (Region 6)

74. Municipality Of Corriverton (Region 6)

REGION 7

75. Municipality of Bartica (Region 7)

REGION 8

76. Municipality of Mahdia

REGION 9

77. Municipality Of Lethem (Region 9)

78. Aranaputa/Upper Burro Burro (Region 9)

REGION 10

79. Municipality of Linden

80. Kwakwani

All Local Observer Groups would be required to fulfil the following minimum standards:

• Familiarity and experience with electoral laws and procedures;

• Previous experience of election monitoring and/or other relevant experience or know-how and specific training, national and/or international;

• Interpersonal skills (e.g. capacity of balanced judgement, ability to work in teams, ability to cope with difficult situations, respect for diverse attitudes, good communication skills, readiness to work in a multi-cultural environment);

• Ability to maintain professional independence and strict impartiality in the conduct of duties;

• Demonstrated commitment to democracy and human rights; The move is pursuant to the provision of Section 145 B of the Local Authorities (Elections) Act, Chapter 28:03, and in order to enhance transparency, credibility and impartiality in the conduct of the Local Government Elections which will be held in Guyana on 12th June, 2023.

Joint Services begun preparations for 2023 LGE

Asthe 2023 Local Government Elections draw closer, members of the joint services have begun training sessions to better handle any situation that might arise during the period.

The Guyana Police Force (GPF) in a press release on Wednesday (May 17, 2023), noted that members of the Joint Services Training Committee conducted a Command Post Exercise 1/2023 at the Police Officers’ Mess, Police Headquarters, Eve Leary, signalling the commencement of the training sessions.

The release said possible scenarios will be discussed and tested in Regional Police Division 4 A (Georgetown), B (East Coast Demerara), and C(East Bank Demerara).

Members of the public are being advised to not be alarmed by increased joint services presence in various regions.

Among those present were Assistant Commissioner Simon McBean, Commander 4A; Assistant Commissioner Khali Pareshram, Commander 4C; Senior Superintendent Mahendra Singh, Commander 4B and Deputy Director of Prisons (ag), Kevin Pilgrim.

On June 12, eligible voters will exercise their constitutional right to cast their ballot for representatives within the nation’s 10 municipalities and 70 Neighbourhood Democratic Councils.

LGEs are necessary for the appointment of persons in charge of local democratic organs.

Local democratic organs which include NDCs and municipalities provide a link between the central government and communities. They are responsible for assessing the needs of residents and ensuring development at the community level. This includes implementing and enforcing local laws such as building codes, zoning regulations, and business licensing requirements, maintaining roads and public spaces, and waste management, among others.

LGEs are therefore important, as they allow citizens to have a direct say in who will represent them and make decisions on their behalf at the local level. It also gives citizens a voice in shaping the policies and priorities of their community and ensures that local government officials are held responsible by their constituents.

Printing of ballots for 2023 LGE being done in Canada

Ballots for the upcoming Local Government Elections are being printed in Canada and GECOM Commissioners, Vincent Alexander and Clement Rohee, were tasked with overseeing the process in the interest of transparency.

The Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) has confirmed that there will be no contest in 291 of the 610 constituencies being contested for the 2023 Local Government Elections (LGE).

According to the Commission, 98 of the constituencies where there is no contest – meaning only one political party submitted list of candidates – are found in 13 Local Authority Areas in Regions 3, 4, 5, 6 and 9. GECOM explained that the other 193 of the constituencies are from other Local Authority Areas (LAAs).

The PPP/C is contesting all 610 constituencies in the 80 Local Authority Areas, as it did successfully in 2016 and 2018, while out of government office, according to the Party’s General Secretary, Bharrat Jagdeo.

Nationally, results for the 2018 LGE showed the People’s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C) has almost doubled the margin of votes between the Party and APNU and AFC combined – moving from about 24,000 at the 2016 Local Government Elections to over 45,000 at this year’s Local Government Elections. The difference of votes between the PPP/C and the AFC was a whopping 113,000 votes. Between the PPP/C and the APNU, the difference of votes was over 50,000. The results showed that the PPP/C won in 52 of the 80 Local Authority Areas (LAAs) and tied five others at the 2018 Local Government Elections. The PPP/C increased its win from 48 LAAs in 2016 to 52 LAAs in 2018 Local Government Elections.

In the 10 towns the PPP/C, secured big wins in five of Guyana’s 10 towns: winning all the seats in Anna Regina, Rose Hall (12 of 16 seats), Corriverton (14 of the 16 seats), Lethem (6 of the 10 seats) and Mabaruma (eight of the 12 seats). The Party was successful in taking control of the Town Councils in Lethem and Mabaruma.

Meanwhile, in the 70 NDCs, the Party was successful in not only holding on to its support base, but also saw an increase in votes in areas that were seen as the traditional support bases of parties like the APNU. The PPP/C won the Buxton/ Foulis NDC, Region 4.

The political parties contesting the Local Government Elections include the PPP/C and PNCR-led APNU, as well as independent groups and candidates.

Monday, June 12, 2023 is set at the date for the 2023 Local Government Elections.