The Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) now has a new commissioner while the Public Service Commission (PSC) also has a new member.
According to a release from the Office of the President, President Irfaan Ali yesterday morning, administered the Oath of Office to Manoj Narayan, who will serve as a Government-nominated Commission-er to the GECOM and Ganga Persaud, who will serve as a member of the PSC.
The release also informed that under Article 163 (A), Narayan, an attorney-at-law will replace Robeson Benn on the Commission. Benn resigned following his appointment as the Minister of Home Affairs and Member of the National Assembly. Persaud replaces Geeta Chandan-Edmond, who resigned earlier in the year following her nomination to the Opposition’s list of candidates for the General and Regional Elections.
The president remarked that these appointments are “critical” to the structure of governance in Guyana and spoke of Narayan’s experience in dealing with electoral matters and the importance of having an understanding of what took place over the last five months at the Elections Commission.
“With the appointment of Mr. Manoj on the Commission, I am sure it will help you, the Chairperson and the Commission, to advance the work as you seek not only to address the many issues before you in relation to the concluded elections but more importantly, in the strengthening of the electoral system, as we work towards having an electoral system in which the people of our country can have confidence; and one in which the international community can be comfortable that Guyana has strong democratic institutions that will always act in the best interest of democracy and the people of our country. I know that the task ahead is not easy for any one of you,” Ali was quoted as saying.
With regard to Persaud’s appointment, the head-of-state noted that it comes at a very critical time when there are a number of issues that have to be dealt with, including concerns of promotion and advancement in the Public Service.
He went on to add, “As a result, it was critical [for] us to move urgently in filling this vacancy so as to have the work of the PSC proceed and flow in a smooth manner. Mr. Persaud is no stranger to the Public Service. He has experience as a public servant, he has served on the Commission before and he is a former Minister and Permanent Secretary. I have no doubt that he will execute his mandate in a manner that is befitting of the office and that he will be an asset to the Commission. I would like to see greater inclusiveness. I would like to see strengthening of our governance architecture, of our institutions, all aimed at ensuring that people are treated fairly.”
Attorney General Anil Nandlall who along with Chairwoman of GECOM, Justice (Ret’d) Claudette Singh and others was present at the ceremony said that the government is “pleased” about the appointments in view of the hiatus in the constitutional functions of those organisations.
“We are committed to constitutional governance and ensuring that the Government operates in compliance with the Constitution and the rule of law. We had this vacancy at GECOM that we had to fill. As you know, there are ongoing investigations at GECOM and to facilitate those investigations, it is imperative that GECOM is fully constituted so that decisions can be made reflective of the full Commission,” he said.
