Providing an update on the ongoing nomination process to aid in the appointment of a new Chairman for the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM), Director-General of the Ministry of the Presidency Joseph Harmon said that of the 11 names submitted by the Opposition, four have been shortlisted, five rejected, and two are under active consideration.
The names of those rejected from the list were not shared so as not to compromise their integrity due to their positions in society.
The names are being vetted by two groups that are representing the government on one side and the Leader of the Opposition on the other.
President David Granger is being represented by Vice President and Minister of Public Security Khemraj Ramjattan, Minister of Public Health Volda Lawrence, and Director-General Harmon, while Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo is represented by Opposition Chief Whip Gail Teixeira, Anil Nandlall, and Bishop Juan Edgehill.
Another meeting is scheduled to be held at 4 PM on Thursday, July 11, 2019, at Castellani House, Georgetown.
The candidates submitted by the Leader of the Opposition are Gerry Gouveia (Captain); Joseph Singh (Retired Major General); Annette Arjoon-Martins; BS Roy (Retired Justice of Appeal); Kashir Khan (attorney-at-law); Krishnadatt Persaud (former Senior magistrate); Lawrence Latchmansingh; Norman McLean (Retired Major General); Onesi La Fleur; Ramesh Dookhoo; and William Ramlall (Retired Puisne Judge).
The President was also invited by the Leader of the Opposition, to also submit names — even though the constitutional responsibility lies solely with Jagdeo to do so. DG Harmon said that he is optimistic that the names submitted by President David Granger will result in the opposition offering a view or opinion.
The Head of State has since submitted several names, including that of the former Chairman, Justice (retired) James Patterson, who vacated the post on June 24, 2019 when the ruling of the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) deemed his appointment “flawed”, and thereby unconstitutional.
The other names submitted by the president are: Stanley Ming; Kessaundra Alves; Dr Aubrey Armstrong; Kadim Khan; Kim Kyte-Thomas; Justice Claudette LaBennett; and Stanley Moore.
