CHAIRMAN of the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM), Dr. Surujbally, has announced that preparations for the conducting of house-to-house registration were progressing satisfactorily, and that the determination of a commencement date was hinged on the arrival of pertinent equipment/materials required for the exercise – digital cameras in particular. 
In all likelihood, he said, the house-to-house registration would begin on January 7, 2008.

The GECOM Chairman said that, upon receipt of the digital cameras, in particular, the Secretariat would require about 21 days to conduct training sessions with field staff at the District level in the use of this equipment.  For this reason, and giving cognisance to the fact that the Christmas holiday season is soon approaching, the Chairman said he anticipates that house-to-house registration would begin on January 7, 2008.

Dr. Surujbally made this announcement when the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) met with a team of representatives from the Opposition Political Parties in Parliament (OPPP) to discuss the status of preparations for the conduct of the imminent House-to-House Registration exercise.

The meeting held at GECOM’s headquarters on Tuesday, and which came immediately before the Commission’s Statutory meeting, was in keeping with a request made by the opposition political parties, Dr. Surujbally said.

The parties in a letter dated November 15, 2007, had requested the meeting in view of “conflicting information and representations in the media concerning the arrangements” for the exercise.

At Tuesday’s meeting , the parties were represented by Mr. Oscar Clarke, General Secretary of the People’s National Congress/Reform – 1 Guyana (PNC/R-1G), Mr. Lance Carberry, Mr. Basil Williams and Ms. Amna Ally, Executive Members of the PNC/R, Mr. Everall Franklin Representative of GAP/ROAR, and Mr. David Patterson- Representative of the Alliance For Change (AFC).

GECOM was represented by its Chairman, Dr. Steve Surujbally and Commissioners Dr. Keshav Mangal, Mr. Robert Williams, Mr. Mohamood Shaw, Mr. Lloyd. Joseph, Mr. Moen. McDoom , S.C. and Mr. Vincent Alexander.  Mr. Gocool Boodoo, Chief Election Officer (CEO) and Mr. Calvin Benn, Deputy Chief Election Officer (DCEO) were also at the meeting.

Dr. Surujbally pointed out that the government had released G$206 million with parliamentary approval for the procurement of capital items that were essential for the exercise to begin and that contracts for the procurement of most of the items had already been entered into in keeping with Central Tender Board procedures.

Meanwhile, Mr. Oscar Clarke, speaking on behalf, emphasised that the parties’ main concerns were that the Commission has (i) not moved away from its decision that new National Identification cards would be produced for all persons captured during House-to-House Registration, and (ii) if not, whether the ID cards will be produced in time for Local Government Elections which are likely to be held before the end of 2008.

Dr. Surujbally gave the assurance that the Commission had not rescinded its decision to produce new ID cards for all persons captured during House-to-House Registration.  In this regard, he recalled that he had written Ms. Gail Teixeira, (then) Head of the Presidential Secretariat (ag) outlining several justifications for the production of new ID cards for all persons captured during house-to-house registration.

Subsequently, however, Head of the Presidential Secretariat Dr. Roger Luncheon, had announced the government’s preference for the production of “multi-usage” ID cards for all registered persons.  Further, President Bharrat Jagdeo had, at a meeting with GECOM’s Chairman and Chief Election Officer, and Ministry of Finance staff,  mentioned the need for a “multiple usage” ID card, which would include information important to other Agencies like the GRA and the National Insurance Scheme (NIS), and that the availability of money for this purpose was not an issue.

The GECOM Chairman said that, among other pertinent issues, he had insisted that if a “multi-usage” ID card were to be considered, then the technical staff from the various agencies should be the ones who would need to get together as soon as possible and comprehensively analyse the proposal. He had suggested that GECOM should initiate such a meeting. The President, however, had argued that such an undertaking must be spearheaded by the Office of the President and Dr. Luncheon was given the task of bringing together the relevant parties in consultation on the matter.

Dr. Surujbally told the opposition parties that the Commission was very cognisant that the production and issuance of national ID cards to registrants was an inseparable aspect of the registration process and that the Commission is legally obligated to take action accordingly.  He underscored however, that the Government’s preference for the production of “multi-usage” ID cards for all registered persons is a new dimension which GECOM could not treat dismissively.  He emphasised that any consultations should conclude in time to allow for the production and issuance of ID cards, “multi-usage” or otherwise, prior to Local Government Elections.

Mr. Clarke, responding to Dr. Surujbally’s comments, expressed satisfaction that GECOM had not abandoned its responsibility and expressed the need for the Opposition Political Party to be continually be informed by GECOM on relevant future developments.  Dr. Surujbally undertook to so do.