“We will not be simple dummies” says Alexander
Today, APNU+AFC representatives on Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) walked out of a meeting that was called to examine the workplan for General and Regional elections slated for September 1, 2025.
The three representatives reportedly refused to allow only a cosmetic participation in such a pivotal meeting of the commissioners.
Longstanding commissioner, Vincent Alexander confirmed the walkout telling Guyana Standard it was done in protest. He said, “It was an act of protest and refusal to be simple dummies participating in a contrived process.”
The walkout resulted in a lack of quorum. However, this publication understands that the commission’s work will not be stymied in the future as there are constitutional provisions which can be invoked.
Government representative on the commission, Sase Gunraj told Guyana Standard that there are constitutional provisions which allow for discussions to continue once there are at least four persons. This he said is considered a quorum. Gunraj was quick to add that those commissioners cannot be allowed to stymie the work of the commission.
In a Facebook post, where he noted the walkout, he wrote, “clearly I was right. They will try everything to frustrate the process.”
This morning, the three opposition commissioners held a press conference where they registered disapproval for President Dr. Irfaan Ali’s “unilateral” selection of E-Day. Their quarrel is that President Ali named the date after consultation with the GECOM Chair, Claudette Singh. She advised on a date that is some 21 days before a date outlined by GECOM’s CEO about the Secretariat’s readiness. They believe that the shorter time given to GECOM secretariat will sabotage the quality of elections.
