The Commonwealth Secretary-General, the Hon. Shirley Botchwey, constituted a Commonwealth Observer Group for the general and regional elections held on 1 September 2025 in Guyana, following an invitation from the Honourable Hugh Hilton Todd, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Co-operation.
The Secretary-General’s decision was informed by a Pre-Election Assessment Mission undertaken by the Secretariat staff team from 21 to 25 July 2025. The Pre-Election Assessment Mission met with various key stakeholders, including the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Co-operation, the Guyana Elections Commission, the Attorney-General, the Ministry of Legal Affairs, the Commissioner of Police, the Ethnic Relations Commission, the Women and Gender Equality Commission, and the contesting political parties.
Following a Commonwealth Secretariat Pre-Election Assessment Mission, which took place from 19 to 26 July 2025, the Commonwealth Secretary-General, the Hon. Shirley Botchwey, decided to deploy a Commonwealth Observer Group to observe the Guyana General and Regional Elections held on 1 September 2025. The COG comprised of 10 eminent persons including the chair.
The Commonwealth Observer Group was present in Guyana from 23 August to 7 September 2025 and engaged with a wide range of stakeholders, including political leaders, electoral authorities, security forces, civil society, media and international partners. Members observed campaign activities and election operations across seven regions.
