Guyana President says Credible elections will be held at the right time

GEORGETOWN – President David Granger has assured Guyana that the date for a general election will be revealed at the right time. Granger said it would be reckless for him to name a date for elections without the advice of the Elections Commission with regard to its readiness.

David Granger

The President said the Elections Commission must be allowed to continue the task of preparing for the forthcoming general and regional elections.

“It would be reckless and irresponsible, on my part, to appoint a date for elections without the Commission’s advice and assurance that it would be ready to conduct elections on such a date.”

According to Granger, the Commission has an obligation to assure the public that it is ready to conduct credible elections and to advise the President of its readiness to do so.

He said once that is done, he could then dissolve Parliament and issue a proclamation appointing a date on which elections could be held in accordance with the Constitution.

Granger said it is the Elections Commission that has a constitutional obligation to ensure that everything necessary would be done to deliver credible elections, noting that “it is the Commission’s task to ensure that adequate resources are acquired; personnel are employed; the Official List of Electors which enfranchises all eligible voters is published; administrative mechanisms to ensure efficient polling and the counting and tabulation of results are implemented; and that the laws of Guyana are enforced”.

“The independence of the Commission and the integrity of the electoral process are essential to ensuring elections which express the will of the electorate. I am committed to providing governmental assistance to the Commission to ensure that the forthcoming elections will not be contaminated by mismanagement or malpractice.”

He expressed his full confidence in the integrity of the Chairman of the Elections Commission Justice Claudette Singh.

“I have full confidence in the Chairman’s independence, integrity and impartiality and her intention and ability to perform the functions of her office in the best interest of the Guyanese people,” Granger said.

Granger’s statement came on the same day that he met officials of the Carter Centre and assured them that he will name a date for elections once the Commission informs him of its readiness.

Just last Friday, a Government team met with the Chairman and Commissioners of the Guyana Elections Commission and were told that the Commission has not set any official timeline as yet but is working towards hosting the elections possibly before the end of this year.