The delay in the declaration of the official election results is due to the absence of a clear project plan within the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM), says the Georgetown Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GCCI).
“What we have noticed overall, is that from the top down, there is not enough direction and instructions. As a result of that, this process has been delayed and delayed. You see no clear direction coming from the Chair[person of GECOM] downwards [nor] from the CEO [Chief Elections Officer, Keith Lowenfield] downwards. You only see them intervening when these major issues happen, and these issues came up as a result of lack of clear SOPs (Standing Operating Procedures) and lack of execution of a proper work plan,” GCCI President, Nicholas Deygoo-Boyer told the media this afternoon.
The President said that he is not trying to “flay” GECOM of the overall conduct of the election; noting that while the voting process was smooth, the challenge lies with the tabulation process.
Deygoo-Boyer made specific reference to the rotation of GECOM workers.
He said that it would be practical if GECOM’s staffers came in to work at defined times, and have periods when they can adequately rest.
“What’s happening is that everybody’s coming in, and it’s almost as if everybody is working at the same time and then you can’t expect everything to be finished simultaneously. So, without a thorough project plan, your staff will be coming almost ragged or exhausted. And, that’s sad; it’s sad to see them walking around there looking physically tired – and to me, that speaks to management. They should have a project plan in place to say: this is how we’re going to attack this piece of the project at this time, then another piece at this time, and so on,” he said.
The GCCI is an accredited local observer at these elections, and would have deployed between 25 and 30 persons to various regions. It is also part of a wider group which includes the Private Sector Commission (PSC) and the Guyana Bar Association.
