The 11-person team has been deployed by the Commonwealth Secretary-General to observe the entire polling process, following an invitation from the Guyana Elections Commission.
In a press statement released in Georgetown, Chairperson of the Commonwealth Observer Group, Mrs Fekitamoeloa Katoa ‘Utoikamanu, former Foreign Affairs of Tonga, said,
"May peace and national unity prevail above all."
She added,
"Today, my colleagues and I from the Commonwealth are here to observe and assess these elections to be able to report on the nature of the elections, and to offer recommendations that may serve to improve future election processes and institutions.
The Commonwealth has a long-standing commitment to strengthen electoral democracy, and this year marks a notable milestone – 45 years of observing elections across its member countries. Commonwealth electoral support has contributed to promote credible, transparent, and inclusive elections throughout the Commonwealth family.”
The chairperson stressed that the group will be guided by the principles of neutrality, impartiality, objectivity and independence.
The Commonwealth Observer Group as part of its mandate will report on whether the elections have been conducted in accordance with the standards to which Guyana has committed itself, including its national law, regional and international commitments.
From today, the Group will meet with various stakeholders, including civil society representatives, political parties, the police, Guyana Elections Commission, citizen observers, and the media.
From August 30, the Group will be deployed in small teams across the country to observe the voting, counting, and results process.
On election day, they will observe the opening, voting, closing, counting, and results management processes, and issue an interim statement on their preliminary findings on September 3.
The group will depart Guyana on September 7, after preparing a draft of the final report which will then be submitted to the Commonwealth Secretary General before being shared with relevant stakeholders.
See the Chairperson’s full arrival statement
For media enquiries, please contact:
Temitope Kalejaiye
Public Relations and Engagement Officer, Commonwealth Secretariat
WhatsApp: +447436032707
Email: [email protected]
