| …regional returning officers sworn inBy Zena HenryThe removal of unwanted names on the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM)’s list of electors remains a burning issue as 2015 General Election draws near. The agency’s executives are adamant however, that only the legally required methods will be utilized to remove those names that ought not to be on the list of electors.GECOM Chairman Dr. Steve Surujbally (sitting at left) and Chief Elections Officer Keith Lowenfield, with Returning Officers in the background.It was noted therefore that with the ongoing objections period, only legitimate objections,Authentic China Jerseys, accompanied with the relevant evidential pieces, will get names off the Preliminary List of Electors (PLE). This was reiterated yesterday when GECOM swore in 10 Returning Officers who will each be based in the various regions to oversee the elections process for May 11.Chief Elections Officer (CEO), Keith Lowenfield told the media that the process of objections; removing individuals names from the list regardless of position, is enshrined in the law. With respect to the matter of objections,Cheap NFL Jerseys, Lowenfield explained that once an objection is made for someone to be removed from the list,Wholesale NFL Jerseys, the agency’s registration officers will have to inform the objectee, even if that person is presumed dead.The agency will send letters inviting objector and objectee to a hearing, and this is conducted by registration officers. Based on the evidence provided by the objector to the hearing officer, that officer will determine whether the objectee will remain on the list or not; “that is the only legal procedure,” he charged.If someone is not satisfied with the outcome of the hearing, then they can appeal the matter to the Commissioner of National Registration. The CEO confirmed that GECOM is knowledgeable of many persons who would have passed away, or migrated, but the agency has to prove via documentation that that person is deceased, hence the period of objection and hearings to be held.In that case, GECOM can only ask individuals and political parties to object to those names that are not supposed to be on the list and to bring the necessary evidence for proof, Lowenfield explained. The hearings are done in the various subdivisions.GECOM’s PLE would have grown by more than 75,000 persons compared to last year. Information related to growth per region will be provided within a month’s time when the revised list of electors is made public, the CEO related. The objections period has been ongoing since February 22,Cheap NFL Jerseys Chinese, and will last until April 1. However, if persons appeal the objection hearings subsequently, then those appeals must be heard.As the agency continues preparation for upcoming polls, they swore in the 10 persons that will be responsible for the smooth running of election activities in the various regions. The persons are Murphy DeSouza,NFL Jerseys Outlet, Rabinauth Boodram, Kushaldeo Bipath, Melanie Marshall, Clairmont Mingo, Alfa Mohamed, Glendon Fredericks, Dwayne Marco, Carlos Melville and Lorna Marks are responsible for districts one to 10 respectively.The officers are now mandated by law to conduct their services in particular districts. They are GECOM staffers who would have performed exceptionally within the agency and were so trained to carry out their particular functions.The GECOM executives said that the officers, some of whom have served in that capacity before, are knowledgeable of the issues on the ground, but will receive the necessary guidance and support from the agency to efficiently function and carry out the Commission’s mandate.Lowenfield noted that at the end of the hearings period, GECOM will be adding new electors and removing those names objected to, if those objections are upheld. The agency is thus transitioning between registration officers in the field as it relates to location of polling stations and polling places and understanding geography as to time and distance appreciation required,Wholesale Jerseys China, so they have total knowledge of their districts.The Returning Officers’ swearing in is part of the smoothing process between the list to be prepared and arriving at polling stations to ensure that all electors in the various divisions are catered to.The Commission’s Chairman Dr. Steve Surujbally aired his expectations to the officers and warned that they must carry out their functions to such a degree that they leave no space “for anyone to default” the agency.On another matter, GECOM expects that the agency will have the number of staffers needed come voting day. The CEO had noted previously that they were still to fill all the agency’s vacancies. He said however, that the reservoir of staffers for polling day is almost filled.There have been shortfalls in District four of about 1200 staffers, Region six’s Upper Corentyne area, and about 30 persons in Region one are still to be trained. The agency is working to have all these person trained by early April. |
