Press Release: GCCI Statement on Reduction of Polling Stations
Official Press Release from the Georgetown Chamber of Commerce & Industry
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As a Local Observer, the Georgetown Chamber of Commerce & Industry (GCCI) has become concerned about the situation it sees developing between GECOM and the Political Parties regarding the very late change to the number and location of polling stations across Guyana. The GCCI believes that this change will likely disenfranchise a significant number of voters in next week’s Election.
The GCCI understands that the list of polling stations circulated in January to the Commission was acceptable to the Commissioners; however, the Chief Election Officer (CEO) of GECOM arbitrarily made changes to the January list without informing the Commission in a timely manner.
The GCCI calls on the Carter Center to clear the air on their 2015 Final Report, as the Carter Center in their report said, “Because of the lack of state establishments in some areas, 166 of Guyanaโs 2,299 polling stations are located in private buildings and residences. While the establishment of polling stations on private property did not seem to negatively influence public confidence in the electoral process; GECOM should ensure that citizens can cast their ballot in a neutral environment.” Some have sought to justify the reduction in Polling Places using that 2015 report, however the report clearly states that use of Private residences did not negatively influence public confidence.
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