Those poor Gecom chairmen
Just before I offer you brief comments on the (vexed) issue of National Registration, I allow myself an observation about our census.
Are we not due another census to let us and the world know, for sure, how many Guyanese still live within our borders? Censuses these days tell us so much more besides the actual or near-as-possible figure regarding Guyana’s population. Economic categorizations and social status all seem to attract the interest of modern census-takers. I remember, that during one recent census citizens were asked about their sources of remittances and other incomes; their family structure and bathroom facilities!
Who would want to confide in some census-taker all those details nowadays? I appreciate the necessity for the info and stats but also understand the reluctance to divulge in today’s crime-prone environment. But I feel, as Maggie Lawrence used to advise us during a census years ago: “we need to know how many we are”. Let us contend with ethnic categories, age groups, social status and religious preferences. I just want to know how many Guyanese actually live in Guyana today. And just where in Guyana are they?
Naturally, our politicians and associated political pretenders would love to know what I want to know too. Especially at this pre-election time. Who lives where? What “types”? Are they qualified to vote? All of which, of course, brings me to the issue of Gecom’s continuous registration. Continuous? How come?
Registration – Politics and challenges
Frankly Speaking, since I was (more) active politically and professionally, I quickly became both upset and ashamed over the fact that our elections “authorities” could not register Guyanese to put them on an electoral/voters register with competence and dispatch.
Numerous were the reasons and scores of explanations are still offered to this 2010 day. Other countries with larger populations, in and out of this region – including “our own” Trinidad and Tobago and Jamaica – know their population figures and thus continuously update their voters list. In a matter of weeks, more organized, civilized societies can call an election reasonably certain that all living eligible voters are registered and can vote. But my Guyana!? Horrors! Elections after elections. As well as in between elections. Have things improved? Highly debatable!
Here, the Chief Elections Officer always seems to be the Commissioner of National Registration as well as Registration Chief, he is tasked with registering the existence and presence of all Guyanese who are fourteen years on and after a certain month of a particular year. There are four categories of persons eligible for registration and entitled to a Guyana Registration Card, but I’ll return to the hereunder. Both “normal” registration and the subsequent extraction of an Electoral Roll are usually beset by myriad problems and challenges – without fail.
Political and government functionaries are involved in determining the natural and timing of such issues as Commission Reforms, Procedures and most of all, funding. Too often, our Registration and Elections Commission is held hostage by external forces it is obliged to wait on. In that context, I sympathized with the chairmen and CEOs, but it’s the other frustrations and embarrassments which concerned me. Jamaicans once came to assist us. I wonder what they thought when they observed our elections officials returned home and took their time in concluding their assistance?
Last time around the photographs on the now National Identification Cards were such a challenge that citizens disowned themselves! Anyhow, Gecom is letting us know right now that it is “currently conducting a cycle of continuous registration” and again I find areas of great interest.
Registration, identification – and prison
Four types of persons living here can be registered as citizens to receive I.D cards. Did you know that? Well, if you’re not yet registered and you’ll be fourteen by March month-end next year – and you were born here; a parent is Guyanese; you were “naturalized”; or are from some Commonwealth country but living here for just one year, you are obliged to get yourself registered. (Funny about a “visitor” from the Commonwealth, huh?)
So citizens of India, Ghana, Sri Lanka, Canada and New Zealand stationed here for a year or longer are entitled to Guyanese Identification! I doubt whether they can be jailed for refusing to register. But “born Guyanese” can be sent to prison (or prosecuted, or fined) for refusing/failing to apply for their registration if they’re eligible. Just check the National Registration Act, Chapter 19:08, and don’t tell them about illness, working hours, absence or terrain. Get registered – and counted!
I wonder, what about Guyanese living abroad? And coming home to vote? More next time.
Oh, those poor chairmen…
Yes all males so far – the chairpersons of Gecom. And I can’t resist recalling the worthy gentlemen. There was Sir Harry Bollers, an eminent, proud upper-class retired judge who could never understand being hackled and harassed by the Opposition to Forbes Burnham. Edward Hopkinson headed the Commission for Local Government Elections – another dignified gentleman.
Rudy Collins has to be a hero to the now government folks. He hid with Commissioner Mangal but braved the bricks and missiles in October 1992 when the PNC types could not understand free and fair elections. Collins even duped those PNC “voters” into voting many times way into the night. But those ballots were tendered – never counted!
Doodnauth Singh was once a revered criminal and civil lawyer. Why he became Gecom chairman, I could never guess. He’s remembered for the Janet Jagan rejection of her summons. Former Army/ Head Joseph G. Singh soon found out that the political Gecom was not his army with the discipline expected. Poor Joe, he knew and knows how to bow out with grace.
Current Head Dr Steve Surujbally is fast becoming my favourite. The erudite, sometimes diplomatic veterinarian heard himself ridiculed by potential president, CN Sharma; the current opposition bashes, but he knows how to expose their misinformation and hypocrisy.
Believe it or not, it is the leader of the Opposition who must give the President six names for him to choose a chairperson!
It’s after the person starts his work that the PNC pulls out the daggers. But then again, these days the PNC would object to the work of Jesus Christ if the good Lord agreed to become Gecom Chairman.
Ponder…
*1) Perhaps the next Gecom head should be a female (??)
*2) In other democracies the top management of Clico would have been disciplined/prosecuted after the judge’s finding. Just look at what’s happening in Trinidad, where our President went to greet that State’s new Prime Minister.
*3) One school told the parent her daughter would be suspended for a school week if the colour of the student’s shoes was not right! Yes, the poor single – parent knew in advance but things were tough. Including $37,000 for the first booklist! Must the poor child suffer? Miss school? Could not some more time be granted?
*4) Am I right? It’s an offence not to register but not an offence to vote at elections? As a matter of conscience – and plain disgust – I’m not voting for any of those dudes.
*5) Coming next week: New approaches to Mashramani!
Til next week!
(Comments? Allanfenty@yahoo.com)
