AFC looks forward to early polls with selection of GECOM chair

The selection of Justice Claudette Singh as the new chairperson of the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) has been welcomed by the Alliance For Change (AFC) and the Private Sector Commission (PSC).

The AFC, which is part of the governing APNU+AFC coalition, also declared that it now “looks forward to an early elections being held in accordance with the constitutional requirement consequent on the passage of the December 21…no confidence motion.”

The passage of the motion and the subsequent ruling by the Caribbean Court of Justice make elections constitutionally due by September 18th, unless a parliamentary deal is struck for an extension.

President David Granger has, however, not declared a date for elections as required by Article 106(7). He has maintained that only GECOM can decide when it is ready to hold elections and has voiced support for a new process of house-tohouse registration, which is scheduled to end on October 20th.

The AFC, in a short statement yesterday, congratulated Justice Singh and applauded Granger and Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo on reaching a consensus on what has been a very contentious matter.

The party declared itself satisfied that the constitutionally appropriate process was applied in Justice Singh’s selection and declared it a positive step towards maintaining public confidence in GECOM, the decisions of GECOM and the results of any elections conducted by GECOM.

Meanwhile, the PSC, in a brief statement, congratulated Granger and Jagdeo on the selection of Justice Singh. They also congratulated Singh and offered their full and unqualified support.