Amerindian village council elections are handled by the regional
administration
Stabroek News,
Sunday, July 29th 2007
Dear Editor,
I refer to a letter written by Penny Atkinson captioned "Does GECOM
supervise elections of Amerindian village councils?" As you rightly pointed
out, GECOM is not responsible for such elections. However, I want to expand
a bit by indicating that Amerindian village councils elections are not done
by the Ministry of Amerindian Affairs but by the regional administration.
This system, which worked very well, was in place for many years even
without being enshrined in law. During the consultations on the Amerindian
Act, the majority of recommendations supported the status quo and this was
accepted by the Government. As such, the Amerindian Act of 2006 provides for
a very detailed process for the elections which was tested at the last
council elections.
I should also note that Amerindian village councils do not come under the
Local Democratic Organs Act of 1980, as this was also a recommendation from
the communities. Indeed, there was an amendment to the LDO Act to remove
Amerindian village councils.
Finally, not because one is unsuccessful at an election does it mean that
the election is fraudulent or the agency conducting the election does not
have the capability. It may just mean that the electorate did not consider
you good enough.
Yours faithfully,
Carolyn Rodrigues
Minister of Amerindian Affairs
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