Dear Editor,
This letter is written in the public interest to raise serious concerns about the current administrative and managerial state of the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM), particularly under the authority of the Chief Elections Officer (CEO), and to call for urgent presidential intervention through the establishment of a Commission of Inquiry. Over the past several years, GECOM has experienced a steady erosion of staff morale and institutional cohesion. Numerous experienced employees have resigned, while those who remain operate in an atmosphere of fear and silence, reluctant to raise legitimate concerns for fear of victimization. These conditions are not limited to Head Office; they reflect a broader institutional problem affecting regional offices nationwide.
A culture of favouritism and unequal treatment has taken root within the organisation. Certain employees appear immune from disciplinary action, while others are punished for minor infractions. This dual system of accountability has undermined trust, weakened teamwork, and replaced professionalism with proximity to management. The management approach of the CEO has increasingly relied on written memoranda for even minor matters, effectively replacing dialogue with paperwork. Staff who are less proficient in written expression are placed at a distinct disadvantage and are often unable to adequately defend themselves. This micromanagement by memo has created unnecessary stress and distraction from GECOM’s core electoral responsibilities.
Of particular concern is the selective application of Public Service Rules. Sick leave entitlements have been reduced to fourteen (14) days, with rules that penalize staff being enforced rigorously, while provisions that would benefit or protect employees are ignored. This cherry-picking of regulations is arbitrary, lacks transparency, and raises serious questions about legality and administrative fairness. Attendance and punctuality policies are enforced in a rigid and inflexible manner, with little consideration for personal circumstances. Requests for time-off are inconsistently handled, and capable workers are being driven out by a one-size-fits-all enforcement regime that prioritizes control over sound management.
Working conditions have also deteriorated significantly. Basic workplace necessities are often unavailable for extended periods, facilities are poorly maintained, and the Kingston compound is widely described by staff as unsanitary and neglected. Complaints go unanswered, while those who raise concerns risk being targeted. Equally troubling is the absence of leadership engagement. After more than four years in office, the CEO has never convened a full staff meeting. Even morale-building initiatives have been mishandled.
GECOM is a constitutional body charged with safeguarding Guyana’s democratic process. An institution entrusted with administering elections cannot be allowed to operate in a manner that is arbitrary, opaque, and dehumanizing to its own employees.
Internal dysfunction inevitably undermines public confidence in electoral integrity. In light of the seriousness and persistence of these issues, the President of the Co-operative Republic of Guyana is respectfully called upon to exercise his constitutional authority to establish an independent Commission of Inquiry into the administration and operations of GECOM. Such an inquiry should examine managerial conduct, labour practices, and administrative decision-making, and compliance with constitutional and statutory obligations.
This call is not punitive, but restorative. Transparency, accountability, and institutional reform are necessary to restore confidence in GECOM—both internally among staff and externally among the Guyanese public. Silence and inaction will only deepen institutional decay. The integrity of Guyana’s democracy demands decisive intervention.