The Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) on Thursday approved a work plan submitted by Chief Election Officer Vishnu Persaud to guide preparations for the General and Regional Elections now set for September 1.
GECOM’s decision came during a scheduled meeting of the Commission, following President Ali’s recent announcement of the election date.
Speaking after the meeting, Opposition nominated Commissioner Vincent Alexander confirmed that the work plan had been given the green light.
However, he said several outstanding issues raised by the opposition side of the Commission remain unresolved.
“The plan has been approved. I am advised that, subject to some determination in relation to the statutory timelines, which will be reviewed next Tuesday, they have agreed not to set aside the issues which I have been insisting on,” Alexander told reporters. “Those issues will be addressed.”
Alexander did not go into detail but maintained that there are still matters of compliance with legal and procedural requirements that must be clarified to ensure the upcoming elections are conducted freely and fairly.
Earlier this week, Alexander and other opposition-nominated Commissioners expressed concerns about the Commission’s readiness to host the election on September 01.
According to them, the previous draft work plan had envisioned a date later in September, which they say would have allowed for a more thorough preparatory process.
Meanwhile, in a recent press release, GECOM explained that President Ali contacted Chairperson, retired Justice Claudette Singh, on Friday, May 23, to inquire whether elections could be held within three months.
The Chair, in response, consulted with the Chief Election Officer, who informed her that the Secretariat had already developed a draft work plan in anticipation of early elections. That plan projected August 25 as a feasible election date, assuming preparations began on June 1.
As such, the Chair advised the President that GECOM would be ready to hold elections within the constitutionally required three-month period.
GECOM clarified that the “work plan” referenced during the press conference was not the same document used to advise the President. Instead, it was merely a schedule of activities outlining the earliest possible election date after Parliament’s dissolution—created for internal planning purposes and subject to revision.
The Commission also stated that Article 61 of the Constitution grants the President the authority to set an election date within three months of Parliament’s dissolution.
