GOA elections, change versus continuity…
It is that time again when the local sporting associations direct their attention to the Annual General Meeting (AGM) of the Guyana Olympic Association (GOA) as they vote for an executive for the next four years.
Will the incumbent president, K. Juman-Yassin and the executive members remain at the helm or will there be changes when the associations vote in the much talked about elections in three days?
As is always the case, this is up to the associations.
This was reiterated by Secretary General Hector Edwards and Vice President Dr. Karen Pilgrim yesterday.
“It’s in the hands of the associations, they decide who they want in office,” said Edwards who then spoke on the transparency of the voting process.
“It is very transparent and simple, there is Returning Officer, the nominations which comes from the floor are seconded and then there is a vote by secret ballot.”
Edwards added: “The votes are then counted by the Returning Officer, it doesn’t get any more transparent and simple than that.”
When quizzed on the identity of the Returning Officer, Edwards said that he does not know who will be tasked with those duties but pointed out that it is “always someone independent from the GOA or an association.”
Dr. Pilgrim told this publication yesterday that the voting process was very transparent.
“It’s just as transparent as any elections,” she declared adding…
“There is nothing stopping anyone from running for a post once they’re a member of an umbrella association/federation.”
Dr. Pilgrim noted that according to Article Seven of the GOA’s constitution, two delegates from each association are entitled to vote.
“Whoever is elected is all up to the associations, they decide,” she asserted.
Come Wednesday, the associations will decide if there is a need for changes or continuity.
