The Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) is an independent, autonomous body and there is no part of the Constitution which gives the Head of State or the Executive, authority to interfere in GECOM’s work, President David Granger has said following his meeting with Opposition Leader, Bharrat Jagdeo.
President Granger met with Jagdeo this morning at the Ministry of the Presidency. While the Opposition Leader has called for General and Regional Elections by April 30, the President stressed that GECOM is the body that is in charge of elections and the elections body, therefore, has to advise on the way forward.
It was on this note that Minister of State, Joseph Harmon, reminded of the President’s letter to GECOM for consultations on its preparedness to host credible elections in the shortest time possible. Harmon said efforts will be made to have the meeting between GECOM and the President in three to four days.
Adding to this point, Granger said that his meeting with GECOM will also be to determine their needs regarding funding and time needed to prepare for elections. He said, “Be assured that we are working to have elections in the shortest time possible. There is no crisis; there are issues which have to be resolved and that will be dependent on the meeting with GECOM.”
As it relates to his meeting with the Opposition Leader, Granger described it to be “fruitful” while noting that Jagdeo has agreed to meet with him again. This will follow his consultations with GECOM.
