[www.inewsguyana.com] – The Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) says that it is continuing to strategically engage its International Development Partners in the lead up to the General and Regional Elections.
In a release to the media, GECOM said that its Chairman Dr. Steve Surujbally met with a small delegation of electoral experts from the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) recently.
The representatives from the UNDP who met with GECOM are Policy Analyst – Election & Gender Governance and Peace building, Bureau for Policy and Programme Support, LeaZorić; and Electoral/Political Affairs Officer, Electoral Assistance Division, Department of Political Affairs, Richard Gee.
The meeting was held to“discuss a number of pertinent issues pertaining to the effective and efficient management of the May 11 elections, in an effort to ascertain key areas of possible United Nations electoral assistance.”
According to the release, during the meeting, the team discussed the upcoming elections and the challenges the Commission may face in the successful delivery of the polling in May.
“Some of the points discussed included results management, electoral disputes, party financing, gender, voter information, and campaign access to media, as well as the role of international and national observer groups,” the release stated.
It was noted that during the discourse, GECOM took the opportunity to highlight the Commission’s current state of preparation for the conduct of Elections.
Several other areas including, the provision of consultancies, advisors, and experts – particularly in the area of Civic and Voter Education – in which there can be greater collaboration between the Commission and the UNDP were also highlighted.
The release also explained that the team of United Nations election experts is in Georgetown to meet with other various electoral stakeholders, including representatives of the electoral authorities, the government, political parties, and members of civil society.
