GECOM’s ‘same day verification’ of voters can lead to fraud – PPP/C

By Kristen Macklingam

The People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) is objecting once more to the ‘same day verification’ process by the

PPP/C MP Zulfikar Mustapha

Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) with regard to newly-registered voters for the upcoming Local Government Elections (LGE). According to PPP/C Member of Parliament (MP) Zulfikar Mustapha, such verifications will prove to be challenging and will make it possible for fraudulent actions to take place during the local elections. During a media briefing on Monday, he stated that the present process of GECOM “leaves room” for an individual to register in a specific area with an address, which is not his/her own, so as to be allowed to vote in that particular constituency. If this occurs then the ‘same day verifications’ would not cater for this and would miss it entirely thus affecting the fair electoral process that is supposed to be executed in the country. “A person can borrow someone’s address and then go there and relax. So when GECOM visits they believe that the address given is a true one…this could change the results of the elections,” Mustapha explained. He posited that with the Claims process ongoing and the Objections period scheduled to commence in the last six days before the closing date, there will most likely be challenges if the verifications are not done correctly and in a proper manner. As such, the PPP/C is proposing that these verifications be conducted at least one or two days after the registering of individuals so as to ensure that the integrity of the voters’ list is secured and to prevent fraudulent acts from taking place. Meanwhile, GECOM is said to be currently engaging in its Claims and Objections period which is scheduled to end on December 13, 2015. According to information received from the Elections Commission, the last estimate of persons who are to be newly registered in the country stands at 558 (applications received) while 103 applications are for transfers. There are presently 192 applications for changes and corrections to existing information. (kristenm@guyanatimesgy.com)