Aneal Giddings sworn in as new DCEO, DCNR

ANEAL Giddings was on Thursday sworn in as the new Deputy Chief Elections Officer (DCEO) and Deputy Commissioner of Registration (DCNR) of the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) by Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan at the Georgetown Magistrate’s court.

His swearing in followed the approval of his appointment by GECOM commissioners at a meeting earlier this week.

In an invited comment, Giddings told members of the media that he intends to faithfully execute his duties to the best of his ability.

“In this appointment and as I have been before as the IT manager, I’ve always tried to ensure that we plan and execute to the highest of standards and ensure that everything is done transparently and according to the law,” he said.

Giddings served as an information technology manager at the commission for several years and he believes that this post has qualified him for his new role. -

“My actions before would speak for themselves. I’ve been with GECOM for quite some time, I’ve been there for the 2018 Local Government Elections, the 2020 general elections, the national recount expertise and I at no point in time was I ever cautioned or called out on misconduct at the level of the commission,” Giddings added.

Giddings said he expects some hiccups, but he intends to work along with all the commissioners.

“I do expect some ups and downs, but at the end of the day, the commission is a collective and it is headed by the chairman. There are always debates and discussions at that level and at the end of the day there is a decision made and that decision will direct myself how to proceed. While I foresee some issues, I have no doubt that I will be able to proceed.”

Meanwhile, as Guyana prepares for Local Government Elections (LGE) and

Nomination Day, Giddings indicated that his focus will be on ensuring that these events occur without any hiccups.

Giddings received the votes of the three government-appointed commissioners. In contrast, the opposition-appointed commissioners opposed the former IT manager’s appointment.

The deciding vote was cast by Chairperson of GECOM, Justice (Ret’d) Claudette Singh in favour of Giddings.

The DCEO post was left vacant after the former office holder, Roxanne Myers, was booted from the position in August 2021.

Myers’ termination stemmed from the successful passage of three motions which were filed calling for her, Keith Lowenfield and Clairmont Mingo to be summarily dismissed.

When the matter was finally put to a vote, it received the support of the GECOM Chairperson.

GECOM in 2022, re-advertised the DCEO post, along with a few other positions.

OPPOSITION Leader, Aubrey Norton, on Thursday continued his criticism of the houses that have been constructed by the government as part of the ongoing housing drive.

He later acknowledged that no assessment of the structures was done by his party to substantiate the criticism.

While delivering remarks during his weekly press conference, he stated that the opposition was dismayed and shocked over the “questionable” design and size of the low-income houses being constructed by the government in various areas.

However, when questioned by members of the media about the criticisms and whether the opposition did any assessments to substantiate the claims, he responded in the negative.

“You don’t need any sophisticated assessment… it is obviously poor quality,” he said.

He then went on to add that the relevant agencies should be called in to conduct the assessments.

Leader of the Opposition, Aubrey Norton

According to the opposition leader, persons have reported to him that the houses are not of quality.

Though the opposition did not conduct any assessments to determine the quality of the houses constructed, he urged others to visit and assess the structures themselves.

Late last year, the opposition leader had called low-income houses, which were similar to the ones constructed under the APNU+AFC administration, “chicken coops.”

At that time, he said that the houses create an environment where children will be exposed to “adult activities”.

He was subsequently called out for these remarks though he noted that he did not see his comments as insulting.

Minister within the Ministry of Housing and Water, Susan Rodrigues had publicly said that the remarks made by Norton were derogatory.