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In this regard, he said, it is the commission’s responsibility to determine how efficiently and how quickly this could be achieved.
Government nominated commissioner Charles Corbin had told reporters on Thursday that house-tohouse registration will start on May 1 and conclude on October 31. He had disclosed too that at the moment, the list has the names of 633,156 persons. Guyana’s population numbers around 750,000.
Granger said yesterday that the independence of the Elections Commission is safeguarded by the Constitution and, as such, the body is insulated from political influence, instruction and interference.
He reminded that Article 62 charges the Commission with the conduct of elections.
“The Commission must be allowed to function independently. I cannot influence, interfere with or instruct the Commission in its work. I am guided by its advice as to its readiness to conduct elections before I make a proclamation on the date of those elections,” he said.
He reminded that in response to a letter penned by Patterson, he made a promise “…to seek the approval of the National Assembly to ensure that an agreement can be reached given both the constitutional requirement and GECOM’s capability” and also urged the Commission to commence preparations for the conduct of general and regional elections.
“I consulted with the full membership of the ElecQtions Commission on 8th March 2019 to determine its needs and its readiness to conduct credible elections in the shortest time possible.
“It would be reckless of me to announce a date for elections without being satisfied that the Commission would be in a position to guarantee credible elections. I did not receive, at that meeting, the guidance that would have allowed me to proclaim a date for elections. I would be unable to do so until the Commission advises me accordingly,” Granger said.