“I will resign when I please” – Dr Surujbally unmoved by resignation calls
By Jomo Paul
[www.inewsguyana.com] – Chairman of the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) Dr Steve Surujbally is unfettered by the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) call for him to resign as the head of the elections commission.
The PPP/C fresh off an election defeat by less than 5,000 votes at the May 11 General Election, pointed out several perceived inefficiencies at the elections commission.
The Party in a press statement on Monday evening (May 18) expressed that it no longer has confidence in Dr Surujbally, who has been Chairman of the elections Body for approximately 10 years.
“Our positions remain the same today in the face of the refusal of GECOM to conduct the recount of a close-finish race; the PPP/C considers the APNU-AFC government as de facto coming in on fraudulent elections.These events, not surprising, have contributed to the loss of confidence in the GECOM machinery and more particularly its Chairman, Dr. Surujbally. The PPP/C calls for the immediate resignation of Dr. Surujbally as Chairman,” the statement said.
However, when contacted by iNews on Tuesday, May 19, the Chairman made it clear that he was not going to vacate his post.
He pointed out that he is a septuagenarian, hinting that he has passed the retirement age and that he was previously asked to retain his position at GECOM.
“I am a septuagenarian…I will not resign…I will resign when it pleases me,” said Dr Surujbally.
According to the GECOM Chairman, “Why they didn’t call for Gocool [Bodhoo – Former CEO of GECOM] to resign when he gave them 33 seats instead of 32,” said a seemingly unfettered Surujbally.