SPECIAL Envoy to Guyana, Sir Paul Reeves, appointed by Commonwealth Secretary General, Mr. Don McKinnon to help facilitate resumption of the dialogue between President Bharrat Jagdeo and Leader of the People's National Congress Reform (PNC/R), Mr. Desmond Hoyte, met Chairman of the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM), Dr. Steve Surujbally on Thursday at his office.

The envoy's assistants Ms. Judith Pestaina and Mr. Kosi Latu were also at the meeting, the commission said in a press release.

Sir Paul has had separate meetings with President Jagdeo and Mr. Hoyte and PNC/R representatives.

GECOM said he explained that the main purpose of the meeting with Surujbally was to gather information, which would provide a basis from which he could suggest strategies aimed at resolving some of the many problems with which Guyana is confronted and to promote a perpetually peaceful Guyanese society.

Acknowledging the existing problems, Surujbally said that GECOM has a very important role in contributing towards sustainable democracy, noting that Guyana cannot be allowed to devolve into anarchy.

He suggested that in such a situation GECOM would itself become marginalised, because it would be impossible for the commission to function in a state of intense social instability and civil discord.

He added: "Our vested interest in all of this lies in promoting democracy through the efficient administration of elections which will be commonly accepted as free, fair and transparent".

The release said he pointed out that GECOM cannot be allowed to become irrelevant.

Surujbally advised that any activity, which could have the potential to lead to disorder and societal distress, should be carefully identified and examined.

Corrective, even prophylactic initiatives could then be undertaken to thwart the development of such destructive factors, the release said.

In this regard, the GECOM Chairman suggested, among other things, that since sections of the media have been time and again accused of abuse of the Fourth Estate and allowing themselves to be conduits of malice and agitators of discontent, the Commonwealth Secretariat should focus on providing guidance for the development and enactment of appropriate legislation which would guarantee that the media operate within the ambit of such legislation.

"One recognises the perpetual arguments between unbridled freedom for the media to operate and accusations of media muzzling.

"But it should be preferred at this time in our history and development, to consider advocation of appropriate restrictions so that anarchical tendencies can be nipped in the bud," Surujbally posited.

It was also suggested that Sir Paul and his team look at the major players in the political scenario in order to understand the historical and current structures of their respective political parties and to advise them to "void" themselves from intransigent and hate filled elements, the release stated.

"In other words, we are suggesting that you advise the leading politicos to concentrate on cultivating doves instead of hawks.

"Leaders of political parties should ensure that messages of a peaceful and collaborative nature are projected to their political opponents," exhorted Surujbally.

He added that only in an atmosphere of political reconciliation and goodwill can the potentially explosive situation in Guyana be defused, the release said.