Yesterday morning just before 8 am, the Alliance For Change was informed via an email from the Leader of the Opposition Brigadier David Granger, that he has named Ms. Sandra Jones to be a GECOM Commissioner to replace the late Robert Williams.
The AFC is disappointed in the principle and methodology deployed in the identification of Ms. Jones as the nominee to fill the vacancy at GECOM.
It was the Alliance’s hope that with the new national dispensation, where the good people of Guyana have conferred the privilege of leadership and management on the joint opposition, that the broader representation of the opposition parliamentary parties in GECOM would have been reflected.
Prior to the announcement by Mr. Granger that Ms. Jones was a candidate, we were unaware of her consideration as a candidate. We believe that one of the unfortunate consequences of Ms. Jones’ nomination is that it may place her in the regrettably position of not enjoying the full support of the joint opposition thereby, leading to unnecessary and avoidable distractions over her nomination.
The Alliance For Change remains strongly committed to the principle that one of the three representatives of the Opposition in GECOM prior to its reform, should be a person nominated by the Alliance for Change.
The AFC recalls that in February 2011, during the PNC’s exercise to elect a presidential candidate, S.V. Jones Associates was retained to help ensure ‘maximum transparency of the process’, and at the conclusion of the internal election process, the Returning Officer. Mr. Earl John of Sandra V. Jones Associates, declared the results”
The AFC notes that the selection departs from the agreed principle, which we openly stated and which was articulated not only by the AFC but also members of other political parties including Aubrey Norton of the PNC and Hinds of the WPA ,as well as independent commenters Frederick ‘Freddy’ Kissoon, Dr. Henry Jeffery and several other persons. It was indeed heartening to hear Aubrey Norton, who was himself tipped for the position, declare that an AFC nominee should fill the position.
It is indeed unfortunate that a party with the parliamentary strength of the AFC cannot be afforded a place on GECOM, as such bringing a truly “independent” view on behalf the electorate, particularly against the backdrop that our people always tend to view elections and their results with some amount of suspicion as was seen even at the 2011 polls when APNU and the PPP wanted verification of the Statements of Poll and the PPP claims of electoral fraud.
The AFC is once again calling for a reform of GECOM and will be moving the required legislation in Parliament.
The AFC maintains its high level of confidence in David Patterson as our nominee and we know that he will continue his vibrant efforts to renew and define our democracy on all fronts.
Though we are dissatisfied, the AFC does not see this as an event for “war” in the opposition. We will remain focused on the need for the broadest unity and cooperation.
Finally notwithstanding our disagreement in the process used to arrive at the replacement Commissioner, we wish to congratulate Ms. Jones, and caution her and her fellow Commissioners that the nation expects them to execute their mandate abilities.
In an effort to avoid further adverse impact to the damage already occasioned by the nomination, we offer no observation the pronouncement on Ms. Jones’ qualifications.
The AFC will press on with the task at hand to win gains for all our people, cut the bloated multi-million salaries and perks of the PPP bureaucracy, and re-distribute incomes to bring relief to the poor and marginalised, and insist that the billions of dollars hidden away be placed in the treasury for our people’s use and benefit. [END]
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