Opposition Parliamentarian and Deputy House Speaker, Lennox Shuman is extremely disappointed with the recent development at the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) regarding the selection of Vishnu Persaud as the new Chief Elections Officer (CEO).
GECOM Chair, Justice (retired) Claudette Singh preferred Singh over fellow applicant, Leslie Harrow – a move that has subjected her to intense criticisms from some sections of society, particularly the A Partnership for National Unity (APNU). Opposition Leader, Joseph Harmon is on record saying Persaud is not the better candidate and that his appointment was political. The other half of the coalition opposition, the Alliance for Change (AFC) has since divorced that contention. It welcomed Persaud’s appointment.
Shuman, who represents the joinder parties in Parliament, registered his disappointment with the new appointment. He said that while the parties he represents have not met to discuss the recent development, he is of the belief that Justice Singh may have squandered an opportunity to restore the public’s confidence in the country’s electoral machinery.
“By her actions she has perpetuated a great sense of distrust in the commission and taken away the confidence of close to 50 % of the population,” he said.
Indeed, controversy erupted following the March 2 General and Regional Elections over GECOM’s conduct of that process. The former CEO, Keith Lowenfiled and at least three GECOM officials including the Deputy CEO, Roxanne Myers and Returning Officer (RO), Clairmont Mingo were dragged before the courts to face charges relating to electoral fraud and misconduct.
The Liberty and Justice Party (LJP) Member said that he is also disappointed that Justice Singh did not solicit international support for the process. Nevertheless, he “hopes” that Persaud does not feel “indebted” to the governing People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) since its commissioners at GECOM supported his pursuit of the post.