GECOM appoints new Deputy Chief Elections Officer

Last Updated on Wednesday, 13 August 2014, 2:09 by GxMedia

The Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) has filled the post of Deputy Chief Elections Officer (DCEO), according to well-placed sources.

Mr. Vishnu Persaud’s appointment was ratified by the seven-member commission on Tuesday, one day before he is due to be sworn in. He will be Head of Operations.

Persaud, a long-serving Public Relations Officer of GECOM, recently attained a Higher National Diploma in Election Management from the Chartered Management Institute of the United Kingdom,

He fills the post left vacant by Calvin Benn who opted in April, 2014 not to seek a renewal of his contract due to poor health.

Persaud’s appointment comes at a time when preparations are being accelerated for the holding of general and regional elections either later this year or in early 2015. GECOM is currently preparing the voters list that will be valid until January 31, 2015.

The government has hinted that President Donald Ramotar might call elections before the opposition-controlled National Assembly debates and approves an Alliance For Change-sponsored No Confidence Motion when the parliamentary recess ends on October 10.

If passed, the President and Cabinet will have to resign but remain in office until elections are held within 90 days.