The main opposition PNCR last Friday warned the government against withholding funds from the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) for the commencement of continuous registration.
In its weekly statement, the PNCR said reports emanating from GECOM suggested that the PPP/C administration has refused to make the necessary funds available for GECOM to commence its work. “This is a dangerous development and the motives of the Office of the President must be suspect,” the party said.
A GECOM official told Stabroek News on Tuesday that GECOM’s planned September 6 start date for the new continuous registration exercise has not been modified.
The PNCR warned that frustrating the work of the commission would make it impossible for its proposed programme to be implemented within the timelines mandated by the Constitution. It noted that the law requires that the National Register of Registrants (NRR) be updated before next year’s general election, in order to facilitate those who have not yet registered and to enable those newly qualified voters to register.
The project document produced by GECOM, the party further noted, had identified the commencement date for this exercise as the first week of September 2010. Arrangements were already made to rent offices and appoint staff so that the exercise could begin in a timely manner.
The PNCR called on the administration to provide an adequate explanation to the people of Guyana, while adding that it would remain vigilant and would expose every manoeuvre to undermine the Constitution. The party also called on GECOM to make a statement to stakeholders on the issues. The PNCR has written to the Chairman of GECOM Dr Steve Surujbally on the matter and it said it looks forward to a prompt response.
