GEORGETOWN – The main Opposition People’s National Congress Reform (PNCR) is urging all citizens to ensure that they are registered to vote in the next general and presidential elections.
In a statement, the party said that while there were glitches in the continuous registration process which began on September 6, it was “nevertheless urging all Guyanese who are 14 years and over as of the qualifying date, to seize the opportunity to be registered”.
“At the same time, we urge those persons who have not [upgraded] their ID cards from the house-to-house registration process to do so now.”
The PNCR said it had also taken note of a letter in the local media by a senior official of the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) responding to what he claimed were remarks reportedly made by Robert Corbin, the PNCR leader on the failure of GECOM “to formally notify the political parties in writing of the details of the continuous registration”.
The party said that Corbin was out of the country and would make an appropriate response on his return.
The PNCR also warned that since 2000, the amendments to both the registration and election laws identified specific roles for the political parties, which, if not performed, could affect the credibility and acceptability of the process and the result.
“It is obvious that if political parties are required to consult, then GECOM has an obligation to provide both the information in writing, as well as, in adequate time for such consultation to take place.
“It is difficult, therefore, to appreciate how the chairman of GECOM still believes that a meeting with political parties a few days before the commencement of continuous registration could suffice,” the PNCR added. (CMC)
