Forms to contest local gov’t polls on GECOM website

The Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) has announced that the statutory forms for the submission of lists of candidates for Local Government Elections (LGE) are accessible on its website.

In a statement on Tuesday, GECOM advised that political parties, voluntary groups, and individuals that are desirous of contesting in Local Government Elections 2023 can access the requisite statutory forms for the submission of their respective lists of candidates on its website. It added that the forms can also be uplifted at any GECOM Registration Office responsible for the Local Authority Area (LAA) to be contested.

The Commission reminded that “Pursuant to Section 41(1) of the Local Authorities Act, Cap. 28:03, the Guyana Elections Commission has appointed 12th December 2022 as Nomination Day for the Local Government Elections to be held on 13th March 2023. In this regard, all Political Parties, Voluntary Groups, and Individuals that are desirous of contesting the said Local Government Elections are required to submit their respective Lists of Candidates, and pre-approved Symbols, on Nomination Day.”

Additionally, GECOM said that political parties and voluntary groups contesting the proportional representation component of LGE must complete and submit their lists of candidates using Form 12 accompanied by Form 13 i.e. the statutory declaration.

It added that in the case of political parties, voluntary groups, and individuals contesting the first-past-the-post or constituency component of the election, they must complete Form 2A accompanied by Form 13A i.e. the statutory declaration.

November 21 has been designated as the deadline for political parties, groups or individuals to submit their symbols for contesting the elections. Applications for symbols, which must include printed and electronic versions (on a flash drive) of the respective symbols, must be submitted in sealed envelopes, clearly marked “Application for Symbol – Local Government Elections – 2023” and addressed to Chairman, Guyana Elections Commission - 41 High and Cowan streets, Kingston, Georgetown.

It was also pointed out that applications can be submitted via e-mail at lo@gecom.org.gy and that Political Parties, Voluntary Groups, and Individuals in outlying Local Authority Areas (LAAs) may submit their symbol to the Registration Officer at the GECOM Registration Office in their area.