GECOM starts training staff for claims and objections

The Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) has started a series of two-day training sessions designed specifically for the selection of managers and field staff to work during the Claims and Objections exercise in preparation for the General and Regional Elections.

The training, which is being implemented at the registration areas level, began on January 22 with last weekend’s training catering for persons to work within the Wismar, Mackenzie and East Bank Demerara registration areas, according to a GECOM release.

Similar sessions are to be held at Moruka, Charity and Anna Regina on January 29 and 30; Parika, Vreed-en-Hoop and Bartica, on February 5 and 6; East Coast Demerara, February 12-13; South Georgetown, North Georgetown, Kamarang and Mabaruma, February 19 and 20; Mahaicony and Fort Wellington, February 26 and 27; New Amsterdam, Kildonan and Corriverton, March 5 and 6; and at Mahdia, Paramakatoi, Lethem and Annai on March 12 and13.

GECOM said the training is aimed at equipping the participants with the requisite knowledge, skills and attitude to conduct the Claims and Objections exercise and to enable them to become acquainted with the relevant forms which must be completed in processing the respective types of registration transactions which could be done during the exercise.  GECOM will be conducting the mandatory Claims and Objections exercise regarding entries in the Preliminary List of Electors (PLE) for the upcoming General and Regional Elections and is scheduled to commence on April 4 and end on May 20.

The commission said it will announce the qualifying date for determining persons who would be 18 years or over, and could become registered during this Claims and Objections exercise. Such persons must be Guyanese citizens by birth, descent or naturalisation or are citizens from a Commonwealth country living in Guyana for one year or more preceding the qualifying date.