(Commonwealth)_ Commonwealth observers are being deployed across Guyana to cover the general elections, and those of concern reported are Charity, Georgetown, New Amsterdam, Lethem, and Linden. They will enable voting in the open and translate into the voice of electorates through their deployment.
The Commonwealth observers began the day at the polling stations by being present on the ground at the time of official opening at 6 a.m. and will be working through to the time of poll closure at 6 p.m. As mandated, they are observing both the voting and subsequent counting and tallying of the votes. This comprehensive observation does justice to democratic ideals and enhances public trust in the electoral process.
The Observer Group is being led by Mrs. Fekitamoeloa Katoa ‘Utoikamanu, the immediate past Foreign Affairs Minister of Tonga, and is leading operations from Georgetown. She is actively seeking priority polling stations, such as the Guyana National Commission for UNESCO, and has been closely monitoring the opening points of voting. Her leadership exemplifies the Commonwealth’s three decades of consistency in resisting the undermining of democracy in member states, particularly Small Island Developing States to which it has cultural and development affinity.
It is also a landmark year for the Commonwealth’s electoral observation activity, marking as it does 45 years of support for free and fair electoral processes in its member states. The Commonwealth has observed eight Guyanese elections since 1992, demonstrating its sustained interest in assisting the country in consolidating democratic institutions and practices.
For most voters, and particularly first-time voters, the presence of Commonwealth observers gives them extra confidence in terms of the credibility of the electoral process. They can cast their vote securely in the democratic process with the knowledge that international standards are being employed to ensure fairness and transparency. The observer mission helps ensure that the conditions are favorable to the extent that the voters are able to vote without fear and confidently, in the knowledge that their vote is secure and counts.
2,790 polling stations have been set up across Guyana to serve 757,690 registered voters. Commonwealth observers have also observed pre-poll voting and organization by the disciplinary services, i.e., the Guyana Police Force, Guyana Defense Force, and Guyana Prison Service, prior to polling day. The voting was held on 22 August for the Disciplined Services to allow the Commonwealth to pilot procedures and verify that electoral procedures are being followed in the correct way prior to general polling.
The Commonwealth is also supporting the Guyana Elections Commission by deploying two election advisers. The advisers provide technical assistance to the commission to enable it to fulfill its mandate effectively. The deployment of the advisers is a component of a more integrated and comprehensive Commonwealth electoral assistance program, from pre-election planning to post-election assessment.
The observer mission prioritizes openness, inclusivity, and adherence to international best practices. Observation of each phase of the process, from polling station deployment to the vote count, ensures the election will be held to democratic standards. The observers are required to record procedures, report on issues that will crop up, and provide recommendations on how future elections can be enhanced in the electoral process.
