The People’s National Congress Reform (PNCR) issued a statement today demanding the resignation of Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) Chair Claudette Singh, accusing her of undermining her constitutional responsibilities and aligning with the PPP. The party claims Singh has consistently sided with PPP-appointed commissioners in GECOM’s recent hiring decisions, allegedly leading to biased appointments that do not inspire public confidence in the electoral body’s impartiality.
The PNCR’s statement specifically criticized the recent hiring of a Civic and Voter Education Manager and a Logistics Manager, both reportedly chosen over more qualified candidates. “These two positions were filled by persons who possess inferior qualifications and relevant experience compared to other applicants,” the PNCR’s statement read, adding that Singh “remains a pawn of the PPP and has discarded all traces of self-respect, shame, and any willingness to fulfill her constitutional duty to the people of Guyana.”
The statement builds on a recent letter from three GECOM commissioners—Desmond Trotman, Charles Corbin, and Vincent Alexander—who raised similar concerns regarding GECOM’s hiring practices. Their October 29 letter, titled “PPP’s Capture of GECOM Continues Unabated,” outlined an alleged pattern of political interference and ethnic bias in staffing decisions. According to the commissioners, senior African Guyanese staff, such as former Chief Elections Officer Keith Lowenfield and Deputy Chief Elections Officer Roxanne Myers, have been removed under contentious circumstances, while PPP-aligned officials have allegedly been appointed despite lacking experience.
The commissioners argued that these staffing changes reflect a broader strategy by the PPP to gain control over GECOM, citing previous calls by PPP-nominated commissioners for “ethnic balancing” as a pretext for political appointments. “Their overtly expressed concern is ethnic balance, which is intended to camouflage their objective to take political control of the Commission and their disregard for merit-based employment practices,” the commissioners wrote.
The PNCR’s statement went further, accusing Singh of showing “total contempt for the people” by refusing to justify her decisions to the public. The party contended that this lack of transparency compromises the integrity of the election process, making it difficult for GECOM to conduct elections that are “fair, credible, and can inspire trust in the voting population.”
In addition to calling for Singh’s resignation, the PNCR reiterated several demands for GECOM reform, including the establishment of modern administrative systems, the use of biometrics at polling stations, and the creation of a clean voter’s list. The PNCR argues that these reforms are critical to ensuring GECOM’s independence and restoring public confidence. “The Guyanese people must reject this situation as unacceptable,” the party stated, emphasizing the need for a commission that is “professionally and responsibly managed.”
International observer missions, including The Carter Center, EU, CARICOM, and the Commonwealth, have also repeatedly called for GECOM to address similar issues. Since 2006, these observer groups have recommended reforms to GECOM’s structure to ensure transparency, impartiality, and competence. Key recommendations include restructuring GECOM to reduce political influence, consolidating election laws, and establishing a professional hiring panel to oversee appointments—calls that both the PNCR and GECOM commissioners argue have been ignored by the current administration.
As pressure mounts for GECOM to implement reforms, both the PNCR and opposition-aligned commissioners insist that the time for meaningful change is now.
