Chairperson of the Guyana Elections Commission Claudette Singh has denied acting unilaterally when she informed President Irfaan Ali that elections could be held by September 1.
In a statement released by the commission’s Public Relations Officer on Wednesday, Retired Justice Singh said the date she provided was done based on consultation with the commission’s Chief Elections Officer, Vishnu Persaud.
GECOM’s chairperson was accused by opposition nominated commissioners of acting unilaterally and usurping the powers of the commission when she provided September 1 as the date by which Regional and General Elections could be held.
According to the Chairperson she received a call from President Irfaan Ali on May 23 inquiring as to whether the commission would be in a position to hold elections within three months. She further stated that she asked the president to allow her to consult with the CEO before giving him an answer.
During her consultation with Mr. Persaud she was informed that he had prepared a draft work plan to be in a state of readiness to ‘hit the ground’ running should the need arise.
In this regard the CEO further related to her that the draft with the commencement of three months on June 1, 2025 placed election day at August 25, within less than three months.
Retired Justice Singh said it was specifically in consideration of this circumstance that the CEO advised her that the Secretariat would be able to conduct the elections within three months.
Additionally, the workplan she said which was referenced in the press conference held by the three opposition nominated commissioners could not be seen as a workplan to be used for the upcoming election. According to her, what was discussed was a schedule of activities with relevant timelines to be completed, which was prepared based on a request for the GECOM secretariat to prepare a schedule indicating what would be the earliest date on which the elections could be held after they become constitutionally due..
Retired Justice Singh said with the information provided by the CEO and in consideration of Article 61 of the constitutions, that “elections shall be held on such day within three (3) months after every dissolution of Parliament as the President shall appoint by proclamation”, she advised President Ali that GECOM would be able to hold the elections within three (3) months.