A major shake-up appears imminent at the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM), following confirmation by its Chairperson that she lacks the authority to remove Opposition-nominated commissioners, setting the stage for a possible legal and political confrontation.
The disclosure was made by GECOM Chair, Claudette Singh, during a meeting on Thursday with Opposition Leader Azruddin Mohamed and members of his parliamentary team.
At the centre of the discussions was the status of three Opposition-nominated commissioners—Vincent Alexander, Desmond Trotman, and Charles Corbin—who were appointed during the tenure of the People’s National Congress Reform and later under the APNU+AFC coalition when those parties formed the parliamentary Opposition.
Justice Singh’s acknowledgement that she lacks the legal authority to remove the commissioners has effectively shifted the matter into the political and legal arena. Opposition Leader Mohamed indicated that formal correspondence would be issued to the commissioners as soon as possible, signalling a move toward reconfiguring the commission.
The development comes amid assertions by the We Invest in Nationhood (WIN) that the current composition of GECOM no longer reflects the political realities in Parliament. With WIN now the largest Opposition bloc, party representatives argue that its absence from the Elections Commission undermines public confidence, fairness, and the electoral body’s representativeness.
WIN Member of Parliament Tabitha Sarabo-Halley has stressed that the current configuration does not align with the current parliamentary landscape, raising broader questions about legitimacy and institutional relevance.
Another emerging flashpoint is the appointment of Opposition scrutineers, particularly as Local Government Elections are expected within months. WIN Member of Parliament Duarte Hetsberger underscored that scrutineers are a critical pillar of electoral transparency, warning that any delay or exclusion could compromise confidence in the process.
As pressure mounts for reform and representation, the unfolding situation may test not only the interpretation of electoral law but also the resilience and credibility of Guyana’s democratic institutions. Whether the matter is resolved through political consensus or escalates into a court battle remains to be seen.
