Carter Centre recommends Local Government elections in 2007
Guyana Chronicle
February 19, 2007
THE Carter Centre has recommended that local government elections be held before the end of the year and that consideration be given towards contesting the local elections on a non-party basis.
The recommendation is contained in the Center’s final report on the 2006 general and regional elections, issued on February 15. The Center said the local government elections should be held by the end of 2007 “granted that sufficient and thorough preparations are completed”.
“GECOM and the Government of Guyana should act with all deliberate speed to prepare for the elections” the Center declared.
It said GECOM should implement the expensive voter and civic education programme as outlined in its 2001 recommendations immediately.
“GECOM should pay specific attention to ensuring that correct and consistent information is disseminated as it relates to elections and voting processes,” the Center noted.
It said that leading up to the disciplined services voting at the general elections, voter education ads showed that the ballots would be stamped at the polling place on election day. But this was true for general voting, not disciplined services voting, and this created some confusion.
The Center added that for the purpose of the local government elections, the government and GECOM should consolidate election laws for the purpose of simplification, codification and accessibility.
It said too the Task Force on local government reform should be revitalised to address outstanding issues such as the allocation of the greatest number of seats possible on a constituency/ward basis.
Reporting on the August 28, 2006 general and regional elections, the Center recommended the reform of the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) and a “broadly-acceptable” verification of the voters’ list.
In its final report dated February 16, the Centre, headed by former US President Jimmy Carter, said the general conduct and peaceful atmosphere, largely free of violence and voter intimidation, that prevailed in the campaign, election, and post-election period, signals a significant step towards strengthening democracy in Guyana.
The Center said it remains willing to support and strengthen democratic institutions in Guyana, and particularly in the electoral process.
‘The conducting of a house-to-house verification is strongly recommended as it is the most likely means of increasing voter confident in the list,” the report stated.
With regard to the reform of GECOM, the Center said the Commission should be independent from the government and be accountable to and receive funding from the National Assembly. “The independence of GECOM from the government’s administration will bolster the Commission’s credibility and independence.”
It stated that the Carter-Price formula for GECOM should be changed to ensure that the Commission is not divided solely along political lines. “GECOM should be composed of individuals who are solely committed to carrying out a successful and transparent elections process, and who have the confidence of political parties, but also maintain independence,” the report stated.
It also noted that gender representation should be ensured in the composition of the elections body.
The Carter Center has recommended also that communication between GECOM, the political parties, civil society and election observers be improved. It said this can be achieved through the establishment of a liaison office to coordinate communication with political parties, observer groups and civil society. Such an office would need adequate staffing and funding, the Center noted.
“GECOM’s transparency will be elevated by additional communication with these parties…and improved communication will also strengthen the relationship between GECOM and domestic observer groups,” the Center noted.
The Carter Center stated that GECOM and the Government should also ensure that appropriate legal remedies be exercised in considering challenges to electoral results. “In addition, new legislation should be debated that provides for correcting results, if evidence is later provided that errors were made in determining the composition of the National Assembly.”