GECOM says has not conferred observer status on GPSU

The Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) says it has not conferred observer status for the May 11 general election on the Guyana Public Service Union (GPSU).

In a statement on February 10th, GECOM was responding to a report in Stabroek News on February 7th, headlined: `GPSU granted observer status for elections’ and which was based on a release from the GPSU.

“GECOM wishes to categorically state that it has so far made no such accreditation of the GPSU as an Observer of any kind for the upcoming May 11 elections”, the elections body stated.

GECOM added that it was in receipt of a letter of application for Domestic Observer Status from the GPSU, to which it responded via letter “meticulously outlining a menu of terms and conditions that the GPSU must satisfy before consideration could be given by GECOM for accreditation. Upon the agreement by the GPSU on the terms and conditions outlined by GECOM, the Commission would then write to the GPSU, inviting them to meet with GECOM officials relative to a further finalization of accreditation arrangements”.

GECOM said it welcomed the interest shown by the GPSU in ensuring that the Election Manage-ment Body produces elections that are transparent.