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…PPP insists on reopening of applicationsThe People’s Progressive Party (PPP) wants the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) to reopen the application process for polling day staff. It said that no stone can be left unturned in making the upcomingPPP’s Executive Secretary, Zulfikar Mustapha,Graham Knott Jersey, and General Secretary, Clement Rohee at the press conference yesterday.elections free and fair.As he hosted the PPP’s weekly press conference yesterday, the party’s General Secretary, Clement Rohee,Robert Bortuzzo Jersey, said that the PPP was made aware that there is a significant shortage of polling day staff in some regions and it is against that backdrop they are urging the electoral body to reopen the process to allow for persons who are “qualified and desirous of working” on elections day to apply.The Party is of the belief that “situations like this can lead to the relaxing of requirements and accepting second standard choices and handpicking of persons which the PPP is totally against since it may have dire consequences to the integrity of the electoral process.”The shortage, according to the PPP, exists in Regions One, Six and “some others.”Rohee told media operatives that this justifies the party’s call for the public vetting on polling day staff.Talks of public vetting of polling day staff surfaced earlier this year after the electoral body held a meeting with the PPP. There were claims that GECOM had agreed on the vetting process but Chairman of GECOM, Dr. Steve Surujbally, categorically stated that no such agreement was made.The body had assured that recruitment will remain professional and will continue to be implemented without influences from any political party or other stakeholders.Accordingly,ED Belfour Jersey, GECOM had said that its employment process will be guided by established employment best practices towards ensuring that the best candidates with the desired knowledge,Tyler Seguin Jersey, skills and experience be appointed to the various positions that are pertinent and specific to elections management.At Freedom House yesterday,David Backes Jersey, Rohee claimed that the Party’s call for public vetting was not one intended to deprive “anyone of any opportunity, but to build public trust and confidence in GECOM’s machinery.”The General Secretary went on to say,Jake Allen Jersey, “Time and again,Troy Brouwer Jersey, flaws and inconsistencies have marred our elections especially by unqualified and biased polling day staff.”This,Wayne Gretzky Jersey, Rohee said, the PPP views as an appropriate and proactive step in having transparent, free and fair elections yet again in the strengthening of local democracy.Continuing, Rohee told members of the media that the PPP was against the use of information clerks at polling stations throughout the country as was done in 2011.Information Poll Clerks are appointed by GECOM and are used where there is more than one polling station in one compound. Their responsibility is to basically check for the elector’s name on the list and direct them to the station where they have to vote.Though Rohee offered no explanation, he said that the use of information clerk proved a “total failure and acted as a catalyst for frustration to voters back in 2011.”The PPP advised GECOM to embark on an aggressive voter education programme and to also make public, knowledge of the polling places so that people can familiarize themselves with their place of vote.But the electoral body has made clear that it will remain committed to working along with external agencies to promote voter education at the upcoming elections. Dr. Surujbally had said this after being criticized by the PPP which said that the Commission is overstepping its authority by collaborating with the recently formed Guyana National Youth Council (GNYC).It was Rohee who criticized GECOM for engaging the youth body, saying that it overstepped its authority. But clarification came that the body’s collaborative efforts with GECOM are solely aimed at increasing voter education.Yesterday, Rohee asserted that his party stands “ready to assist GECOM in informing voters of the place they are expected to vote, once finalized by GECOM in adequate time.”Rohee said that recent media carried scorching attacks by GECOM’s Chairman aimed at concerns and suggestions made by political parties and interested stakeholders.The politician said,Jeremy Roenick Jersey, “Dr. Surujbally should know that concerns raised are done so with the best intentions of furthering improving Guyana’s electoral process and pave the way for greater transparency at the polls.”Rohee went on to say, “Instead of attacking and adopting an aggressive policy towards these issues, a better approach would be to take them in good step and with an open mind. The Chairman should not go on the defensive at every concern raised by political parties or interested stakeholders whose intentions are noble.”Through the General Secretary, the party called on GECOM to ensure that all measures are taken to implement policies and procedures that will create voter-friendly polling places “manned by competent and trained staff.”Rohee said that no stone can be left unturned in making the upcoming elections free and fair. Regional and General Elections are slated for May 11 and GECOM has recently announced April 7, as Nominations Day where it expects all political parties that intend to contest in the May 11 polls to submit their respective lists of candidates.