GECOM’s continuous registration exercise sees over 70,000 persons participating

The Guyana Elections Commissions (GECOM) three-month continuous registration exercise ended on May 29, some 70,041 applications were processed.

GECOM reealed that of this, amount, 28,149 were new registrants between the ages of 14 to 17, 21,130 were the 18 and older cohort, another 7,667 applied for the replacement of identification cards (ID) and 6,526 for corrections. Further, some 4,629 applicants sought transfers and 1,940 had their photographs retaken.

GECOM’s Public Relations Officer (PRO), Yolanda Ward pointed out that while the response was outstanding, there could be a fluctuation in the figures as applications were still being processed. It was noted that the registration exercise began on March 7 and ended on May 29. Ward disclosed that GECOM had predetermine the positive response.

“I think we have done our (GECOM) part in terms of delivering that (registration) service with excellence. Now that this process is completed, we now have to go through administrative processes that is currently ongoing,” Ward said. The PRO stressed that while the process has been completed, she said that persons seeking replacement of IDs could still apply at the nearest GECOM registration office.

Ward revealed that first time applicants will be informed to uplift their ID cards, once they are available. She urged them to be patient as the agency must follow protocol to ensure there is no double registration as well as other errors.

“So, for the new applicants in particular, though their ID cards could only be produced after they would have gone through those essential administrative processes…we will shortly be able to announce when those ID cards will be produced and ultimately be sealed, but it’s an essential administrative process that we have,” she explained.

The GECOM PRO disclosed that once that process is completed, GECOM will then move on to its claims and objections exercise which will see the generation of a preliminary list of electors. Ward pointed out that some $4.1B has been allocated for the agency to conduct its 2022 work programme. From which, $783M will be used to host the 2022 LGE.