At a meeting of the Guyana Elections Commission held today, it was decided that Vishnu Persaud be appointed the new Chief Election Officer/Commissioner of Registration.
The process concluded after reviewing several applications for the post, of which two (2) persons Leslie Harrow and Persaud were selected from a combined shortlist of persons to be interviewed.
Subsequent to the interviews, the Commission met and deliberated on the candidates and Persaud was selected.
Chairperson of the Guyana Elections Commission, Justice Claudette Singh in justifying the reasons for endorsing the successful applicant posited that; having heard the Commissioners and having read the endorsement of the
former Chairman Dr. Steve Surujbally, she is of the view that Persaud has acquired institutional knowledge having been employed with GECOM for seventeen (17) years.
During his tenure at the Commission, Persaud held the post of Public Relations Officer, Deputy Chief Election Officer for three (3) years, and acted as Chief Election Officer on several occasions.
Justice Singh posited that Persaud is knowledgeable not only with the understanding and management of the work of the CEO’s office and the operational functions of the Secretariat but also with the geography of Guyana’s ten (10) Administrative Regions.
Owing to the reasons highlighted, Justice Singh noted that she has no hesitation in endorsing Persaud’s appointment since he has the necessary skills, experience, and expertise that makes him eminently qualified to
handle the job.
Persaud is expected to assume office in the new week; once all contractual and procedural matters are finalized and he is officially appointed and takes the Oath of Office.
The Commission is hopeful that with his extensive experience in the agency, Persaud will execute his functions within the confines of the law and deliver
with excellence.
His predecessor, Keith Lowenfield is before the courts facing several charges about his conduct during the last General and Regional Elections in March 2020.
