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‘Impartial, independent’ Commonwealth Observer Mission arrives
The Commonwealth Observer Group for Monday’s general and regional elections is now in Guyana. It hopes that its presence can add weight toward ensuring that the elections are free and fair.
Leading the delegation is Mr Dennis Marshall, the former Secretary General of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association, and a Minister in the New Zealand Government.
The Commonwealth Observer Group; seated are chairman Dennis Marshall and team leader Shennia Spillane.
He said that while the team comes without any power to impose sanctions, it is hoped that the mere observer presence would ensure a level playing field for parties contesting the elections. It will also ensure that the standards set for the conduct of the elections are met.
Commonwealth Secretary-General, Mr Kamalesh Sharma, constituted an Observer Group for the 2011 Guyana National and Regional Elections following an invitation from the Government of Guyana.
“We hope the electoral campaign and ballot will further strengthen democratic processes there, and that all participants will engage peacefully and constructively throughout,” Sharma stated.
Marshall said that it is his honour and privilege to have been asked to lead the Group and to be here in the country for “these important elections.”
The Commonwealth has supported elections in the past in Guyana and sent observer groups for elections held since 1992.
“Democracy and good governance are key Commonwealth principles and ones which our Observer Group is constituted to promote and uphold.
“These elections are crucially important for the people of Guyana, as they elect their representatives, and it is therefore imperative that the electoral process is transparent, fair, credible, and free of violence,” Marshall said in a statement.
The Commonwealth Observer Group sees as its task considering all the factors affecting the credibility of the electoral process as a whole, and assess whether the elections have been conducted according to the standards for democratic elections to which Guyana has committed itself, with reference to its own election-related legislation as well as relevant regional, commonwealth and other international commitments.
“We will consider, among other things, whether conditions exist for free and competitive elections; the voter register provides for universal suffrage; there is a level playing field in the campaign; state apparatus and public media are impartial; freedom of expression is provided for and the media meets its responsibilities for honest and balanced reporting; voters are free to express their will; and the results process is transparent and timely,” Marshall stated.
He said that the group was committed to meeting all political parties contesting the elections, as well as other stakeholders.
“In conducting our duties and undertaking our assessment, we will be impartial, objective and independent. We are here in our individual capacities as eminent Commonwealth citizens,” Marshall stated.
The Group said that while it has been invited by the government, its assessment will be its own, and it’s under no pressure to make any particular observation or recommendation.
“We will be constructive in our observation and remarks, with the intent to help further strengthen the democratic process in the country,” he stated.
The Group has been drawn from across the Commonwealth, and includes politicians, members of election commissions, and representatives of civil society and the media.
Prior to Election Day, Commonwealth teams will deploy to a variety of locations around the country to observe the voting, counting and results processes.
Marshall said that the Commonwealth teams will coordinate with other observers in the field in order to maximise the group’s overview of the process.
“For Guyana, the conduct of credible elections, building on the improvements reported in 2006, is vital and I am hopeful that this will be the case,” Marshall stated.
The Group has called on all political parties and stakeholders to play their roles responsibly and to adopt a constructive approach to the entire electoral process in order to ensure a peaceful poll.
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