Three new towns to feature in Local Government Elections, date to be announced – Minister Bulkan

Oct 24, 2015 News

The Ministry of Communities yesterday said that it is awaiting word from the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM), for the holding of Local Government Elections (LGE) now that all the administrative orders are in place.
According to Minister of Communities, Ronald Bulkan, LGE can take place

Minister of Communities, Ronald Bulkan and Canadian High Commissioner, Pierre Giroux, with Heads of the various Municipalities yesterday.

within the first-quarter of 2016.
Addressing municipal representatives yesterday at an Institutional Strengthening and Capacity Building Development workshop, at the Arthur Chung International Convention Centre (ACICC), Minister Bulkan disclosed that the Ministry, earlier in the day, sent two orders to GECOM, relating to the holding of the elections.
He said that with these two orders, the way is virtually paved for another piece of administrative necessity- that is a third order which will give the actual date for the elections.
“In that regard, I am awaiting a definitive response from GECOM, to be told what is the window, the minimum date, the earliest or latest date, by which those elections can be held, given the fact that these administrative requirements are now all in place,” the Minister said.
The first order given to GECOM identifies the 71 Local Democratic Organs (LDOs) that will be participating in these elections, and the composition of their Councils.
Minister Bulkan explained that in this first order, there are the three districts -Mabaruma, Bartica and Lethem- for which township orders for their creation were on Thursday laid in the National Assembly.   The second order establishes the boundaries of the 71 LDOs.
Minister Bulkan said that he is hoping that with the given information, GECOM will soon set the date for these elections.
“But given my advantage, I could state clearly that those elections will be held before the end of next year, and it will signal part and parcel of the administration’s commitment to democratic renewal,” he added.
Minister Bulkan, according to the government statement yesterday, noted that this democratic rekindling is essential to having new Councils, with fresh energy, new enthusiasm and with the zeal that arises from the confidence the citizens have in the administration.