The APNU has promptly condemned GECOM and criticized its Chair, Justice Claudette Singh, over the selection of Vishnu Persaud for the CEO position. The party however must not believe that this expression of moral outrage equates to political strategy. It must not assume that statements alone, even if repeated forcefully and often, would intimidate those who may intend to use the GECOM machinery to undercut the party’s electoral chances.
Looking forward, the party must urgently devise a holistic GECOM strategy. This strategy must have two aims: (i) to ensure a free and fair elections based on a new voters list of residents, tighter polling station procedures, and other such systemic measures on registration, voting, counting, and recounting; and (ii) to sharper define the functions and powers of the CEO and Returning Officers. In particular, such changes must include the removal of legal and administrative loopholes and the minimization of the discretionary powers these officers can exercise. In this regard, the party must honestly confront the jeopardies exposed in the 2020 election and ensure they do not go unheeded and unfixed.
Given the litany of serious grievances the Coalition lodged during the 2020 election recount process, it is surprising that it is yet to publicly table its own list of election reforms. If we recall, the coalition protested against, for instance, unstamped and uncounted ballots, missing polling box documents, mishandling of the Discipline Services votes, and voting by impostors. The time therefore has long reached for the party to propose measures (administrative and legislative) to prevent or minimize such recurrences. In its proposals for reform, the opposition GECOM commissioners, given their intimate and insider knowledge, must play a leading role. It is time for them to step up.
Over the next few years at least, the reality is that Vishnu Persaud will preside as CEO over local and national elections. The coalition parties can decide either to only fret or instead to make concrete moves to reduce the possibility of occurrences, intended or inadvertent, that could mar the measurement of their true popular support and the retaking of the government in 2025.