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Three Commissioners of the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) have voiced serious concerns about alleged political influence within the institution, stating that the ruling PPP is actively working to assert control over GECOM by manipulating its staffing and recruitment practices. In a letter published on October 29, 2024, Commissioners Desmond Trotman, Charles Corbin, and Vincent Alexander argue that recent staffing decisions at GECOM reflect an agenda to favor pro-PPP candidates, often at the expense of merit-based hiring.
The commissioners cited instances where experienced African Guyanese staff, including former Chief Elections Officer Keith Lowenfield and Deputy Chief Elections Officer Roxanne Myers, were removed from their positions under contentious circumstances. These removals, they claim, are in stark contrast to the retention of former Chief Elections Officer Gocool Boodoo, who faced accusations of attempting to manipulate election results in favor of the PPP in both 2006 and 2011. “Absolutely no action was taken against Boodoo,” the commissioners wrote, “while some of the African Guyanese mentioned above were removed on the basis of allegations and dragged before the courts.”
According to the letter, the commissioners attribute this shift to comments made by current PPP-nominated Commissioner Clement Rohee and his predecessor, Robeson Benn, who both publicly called for an “ethnic balance” in GECOM staffing. The commissioners argue that the calls for ethnic balance serve as a “camouflage” for political control, as they believe the recruitment process increasingly favors candidates with ties to the PPP. “In effect, GECOM’s employment practice has been reduced to a voting process,” they stated, adding that the GECOM Chair’s votes consistently align with PPP-nominated commissioners to select pro-PPP candidates.
The commissioners further allege that individuals without the mandated experience and qualifications have been hired to senior positions. The current Chief Elections Officer and his Deputy, both perceived by the commissioners to be aligned with the PPP, reportedly did not meet the established experience requirements. Similar concerns were raised over the recent appointments of Civic and Voter Education Manager and Logistics Manager, where candidates “with lesser qualifications and experience” were chosen, the commissioners say, through a process tilted by political influence.
The letter also references the findings of various international observer missions, including The Carter Center, EU, CARICOM, and the Commonwealth, which have repeatedly called for reform within GECOM. Since 2006, observer missions have recommended restructuring GECOM’s composition to create a “professional and impartial commission” free from political control. The commissioners expressed frustration at what they view as the PPP’s disregard for these recommendations, particularly its rejection of a proposal to engage a professional, independent panel to oversee GECOM’s hiring processes.
With calls for transparency and impartiality growing, the commissioners emphasized that “the time for meaningful reform is now,” arguing that only substantial changes can restore public confidence in GECOM as an impartial electoral body.
