GECOM to train thousands for election day

Last Updated on Monday, 3 February 2025, 18:25 by Writer

As part of its civic and voter education programme, the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) intends to train 19,000 persons to work as temporary election day staff, and spend GY$427.5 million including on the printing of manuals, the National Assembly’s Committee of Supply heard on Monday.

During consideration of estimates for the 2025 National Budget, the committee also heard that GY$193 million has been allocated for selection, education, training, public transportation and meals for the 19,000 poll workers.

Minister of Governance, Gail Teixeira also informed the Committee that GY$122.7 million has been allocated for rental of buildings for polling places, though a number of them might be free.

She said GY$1.6 billion has been set aside for the payment of GY$320,143 million to assistant returning officers, GY$320.1 million for civic and voter education assistants, GY$423,925 million for returning officers and GY$430,532 million for security officers.

In response to a question by APNU+AFC parliamentarian Ganesh Mahipaul about the salary of the Chief Election Officer, GY$1,937,732 plus National Insurance Scheme contributions and several allowances totalling GY$3,331,252 per month and GY$44,724,632 annually, the House was also informed that the GECOM Chairman’s basic salary is GY$2,780,968

Meanwhile, the House was also informed that the Ethnic Relations Commission (ERC) has received allocations for election observers.