GECOM could not deliver elections in 90 days, need for rigorous training cannot be over-emphasized

Dear Editor,

I refer to an article in Stabroek News yesterday under the caption `GECOM was in position to hold polls in 90 days’ in which the former Deputy Chief Election Officer, Mr. Vishnu Persaud pontificated that there was even time to spare in that 90 days period.

It is incomprehensible and mystifying that Mr. Persaud spent more than 16 years at the Commission and has now resorted to peddling inaccurate information in the public domain. Against that backdrop, I would like to offer clarity and put Mr. Persaud’s dismal recollection of operational activities into true perspective.

While the Commission had explored the possibility of having a pool of trained persons who could have been used for elections whenever the need should arise, that policy decision was thrown out after the 2016 Local Government Elections. GECOM fully advertised in 2018 extensively and trained persons countywide.

The need for rigorous training cannot be over-emphasized. Conducting elections is not equivalent to running a `cake shop’. GECOM ought not to be blamed for human error and creating any avenue for the results of the elections to be discredited.

GECOM did not utilize a pool for the 2018 Local Government Elections. Extensive advertising was done and also intense training but yet there were shortfalls. The Commission had to then re-advertise and many areas were revisited for a second round of training. The success resulted in a cadre of trained persons who delivered with excellence.

May I emphasize that Local Government Elections is different from General and Regional Elections. While some methodologies are the same at polling stations, persons must be properly trained to understand context and deliver within the legal framework (Chapter 28:03 and Chapter 1:03).

In our quality assurance analysis, it was determined that the magnitude of content to be presented by the trainers would be strenuous for two persons. Even participants get tired. Training teams function best in groups of three.

The GECOM secretariat has presented work plans to the Commission with all the possible options available for the conduct of General and Regional Elections. Training is the longest activity in all options. It is that critical!

The Commission had previously recognized that the conduct of elections would require at least 180 days. Former Chairman, Dr. Steve Surujbally in correspondence to former Head of the Presidential Secretariat, Dr. Roger Luncheon on 17th October, 2014 under the caption “GECOM’s Commitment to Satisfying its Constitutional Mandate” wrote “Further, it must be noted that the Commission has publicly stated that when the decision to hold Local Government Elections is officially communicated to us, a period of six (6) months is required to allow our Secretariat to complete essential prerequisite activities to ensure GECOM’s compliance with all related Legislation and Regula-tions and satisfying the necessary administrative requirements as has(sic) been established.”

While GECOM is cognizant that the Constitution dictates 90 days, it can only deliver within a timeframe that is practical and within the confines of the legal and procedural requirements as outlined in Chapter 1:03.

As the old proverb said, “Once bitten twice shy,” Chief Election Officer, Keith Lowenfield was right when he declared publicly that he was awaiting the Commission’s instruction to move into operational mode. Mr. Persaud’s reasoning of the CEO’s capabilities to “mobilize in the sense of beginning training” since 22nd December, 2018 lacks merit. Guidance should be sought from the Representation of the People’s Act on the Commission’s roles and responsibilities to the Secretariat.

Article 161A (2) of the Constitution states, “The Elections Commission may, by directions in writing