Joe Singh did not resign from GECOM Chairmanship

Following reports in the media, sources close to Major General (retired) Joe Singh have revealed that he did not resign as Chairman of the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) following the general and regional elections in 2001.

The source explained that Singh was offered the appointment of Executive Director of Conservation International (CI) after he retired as Chief of Staff of the Guyana Defence Force in June 2000.

It was noted that he met with the Board of CI and signed the contract. Subsequently, Singh was asked by then President Bharrat Jagdeo and Opposition Leader Desmond Hoyte to accept the Chairmanship of GECOM.

According to the source, he accepted in the national interest and had to request a one-year leave of absence from CI. The source went on to explain that on completion of his assignment and the auditing of the 2001 Elections by the Swedish Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance, Singh demitted the Chairmanship of GECOM as had been agreed by Jagdeo and Hoyte and took up his appointment with CI.

Singh on Tuesday, October 24, 2017, officially tendered his resignation as Presidential Adviser to President David Granger. He informed the Ministry of the Presidency in his resignation letter that he does not wish to renew his contract with the government, which expires at the end of this year.

News Room was also reliably informed that the Major General resigned from the various State Boards on which he serves, including the Protected Areas Commission.

When News Room caught up with the Presidential Adviser in Georgetown on Tuesday, he refused to comment on his resignation.

“I don’t wish to make any comment at this time, I believe the Ministry of the Presidency in time, will make whatever statements it wishes to make, please respect my privacy.”

The Major General was listed as a nominee for the post of GECOM Chair on the third list which was submitted by Opposition Leader, Bharrat Jagdeo to President Granger in August.

Granger, however, rejected the lists on the grounds that the nominees were not “fit and proper.” Meanwhile, the reason for Singh’s resignation is unknown at this time and President Granger is yet to pronounce on the matter.