The Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) began its continuous registration exercise the first week in March and has so far managed to register a total of 23,523 persons.
These persons were registered under several transactions.
This was revealed by GECOM’s Public Relations Officer (PRO), Yolanda Ward.
“For new registrants between the ages of 14 to 17 years old, we would have captured 8,840, for new registrants that are 18 years and older we would have captured just about 9,331. For persons who have requested transfers as it relates to their addresses 1,040 and for persons who have applied for changes or corrections to their registration in particular we have had 2,089, persons who have applied for replacement transactions we’ve had 1,791 and photo retake 437.”
Ms Ward told News Update that citizens are cooperating with the exercise but more can be done. She also reminded us of the importance of persons between the 14 to the 17-year range being registered.
“Particularly at the time of 18 year old they are required to get employment, they require an ID card and that is the time that they are now rushing to get registered to get an ID card when the law provides for the issuance of an ID since you are 14 years old.”
Chapter 19:08 of the National Registration Act specifies that registration is a must and persons are expected to participate in the process.
The Continuous Registration Exercise will run for three months until May 29 to facilitate Local Government Elections. Furthermore, an updated and acceptable voters list is expected to be presented by the commission at the end of October.
Registration is currently ongoing at 29 offices countrywide and GECOM operates between the hours of 8 am and 6 pm from Monday to Friday.
For more information visit: gecom.org.gy
