BRUSSELS, CMC – Vice President of the European Commission, Kaja Kallas, Friday announced that the European Union will be deploying an election observation mission (EOM) to observe the September 1 general and regional elections.
Kallas said that EOM is in response to a formal invitation by the Guyana government and that Robert Biedron, a member of the European Parliament, will head the mission.
“I am very honoured to lead the European Union Election Observation Mission to Guyana. These general and regional elections in September will be an important moment for Guyana to demonstrate its continued commitment to credible and peaceful democratic processes. At this pivotal time of economic transformation, upholding democratic principles and human rights is especially important, and Guyana has the opportunity to continue setting a strong example,” Biedron said.
The EU said the EOM will provide a “comprehensive, independent, and impartial assessment” of the electoral process based on international and regional standards for democratic elections.
It said that the core team will consist of nine election experts, scheduled to arrive in Guyana on August 23, and that 14 long-term observers will join the mission at the beginning of that month and will be deployed across the country.
The EU said that closer to election day, 20 short-term observers will join the mission, as will locally recruited observers from the accredited diplomatic community.
“In line with the EU methodology on election observation, the mission will issue a preliminary statement and conduct a press conference in Georgetown shortly after the elections. A comprehensive final report, including recommendations to improve future electoral processes, will be prepared and shared with all relevant stakeholders after the conclusion of the entire electoral process,” the EU added.
Earlier this week, the United States Ambassador to Guyana, Nicole Theriot, said Washington would be supporting the Guyana Police Force (GPF) in strengthening its capacity for the elections.
Theriot told reporters that the North American country was responding to a “request” from the GPF and that “we’re happy to provide it.”
“So, what we will be doing very shortly is bringing in police trainers from, we haven’t settled yet on either Las Vegas or Miami Dade, to provide election security training to help the GPF to be prepared for whatever might come, hopefully nothing, hopefully, it will be nice and peaceful but we are going to be doing that,” Ambassador Theriot said.
The US diplomat told reporters that the embassy here would be fielding 50 observers, acknowledging being informed by the opposition of a bloated voters list that could lead to voter impersonation and multiple voting.
However, she noted that the Guyana Election Commission (GECOM) has assured her of conducting free and fair elections.
Nomination Day is July 14 and the voters will have to choose between the ruling People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C), the main opposition, A Partnership for National Unity (APNU), the Alliance for Change, as well as the newly formed coalition of We Invest in Nationhood (WIN) party and A New and United Guyana (ANUG) among others.
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