Since it became known that Dr Steve Surujbally will be retiring shortly as Chairman of the Elections Commission, popularly known by the acronym, Gecom, there has been a flurry of activity in connection with the appointment of a new Chair. The opposition has written to Minister Joe Harmon. The Leader of the Opposition announced that he would be engaging in wide consultations, which is a positive step since some of the bodies he mentioned have been critics of the PPP from time to time. Mr Harmon indicated that the President has written the Leader of the Opposition and has triggered the process.
The process by which the Chair is appointed is provided for by the Constitution. In 1991 Dr Cheddi Jagan, then Leader of the Opposition PPP, refused to accept the continuation in office of Chairman of Gecom, Sir Harry Bollers. President Carter persuaded President Hoyte to retire Chief Justice Bollers and asked Dr Jagan for six names which would be acceptable to President Hoyte, from whom he would choose one to be the new Chair. Among the persons searching for names were myself and Miles Fitzpatrick.
