Jagdeo still awaiting word on third Gecom list

Almost three weeks after Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo submitted a third list of nominees for the post of Chairman of the Guyana Elections Commission (Gecom), President David Granger is still to make his position known.

Observers are concerned at the continuous delays in making a selection particularly since the post has been vacant since February of this year.

When asked for an update yesterday, Jagdeo said “I have not heard anything”. He at the time was hosting a press conference at his Church Street office and he said that the only response he has obtained thus far is a letter of acknowledgement from the president.

On August 25, Jagdeo announced the submission of the third list comprising Joe Singh, a retired Guyana Defence Force Major General who previously held the post of Gecom Chairman; former longserving magistrate Krisndat Persaud; attorneys Teni Housty and Sanjeev Datadin; pilot and biodiversity advocate Annette Arjoon-Martins; and Adventist pastor and agriculturalist Onesi La Fleur.

Singh, according to sources would be heavily favoured given his background and knowledge of the work associated with the post.

Granger had said that he was “critically” examining the list and that a decision could not be expected before last week Tuesday, since he had to discuss the matter with Cabinet. Stabroek News was unable to confirm whether the matter was discussed at that sitting of cabinet or during this week’s session.

Shortly after accepting the Letters of Credence from the incoming Ambassador of Spain to Guyana, Javier Maria Carajosa Sanchez, Stabroek News approached Granger on the matter and he declined to speak saying that he and his family are in mourning having hours earlier cremated his brother.

“It is not a good day…I prefer not to talk today. It is a private day for the Granger family. Please respect my privacy…” he said when asked if he could provide an update on the search for the Gecom Chairman.

President Granger has rejected Jagdeo’s two previous lists, saying that the six nominees on each list did not meet the criteria to be appointed Chairman. The nominees on Jagdeo’s first list, submitted in December last year, were