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EU signs agreement for elections observer mission
European Union Ambassador here, René van Nes (left), signed the Administrative Arrangement [AA] for the European Union Elections Observation Mission [EUEOM] with Chairperson of the Guyana Elections Commission, Justice (ret’d) Claudette Singh (centre), and Ambassador Elisabeth Harper of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Guyana.
The AA establishes the framework for the EUEOM’s deployment and operation in Guyana for the September 1, 2025 General and Regional elections.
Meanwhile, only last week, the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) issued requests for local observers. In a notice GECOM said: “Pursuant to the provisions of Section 4E of the Representation of the People Act, Chapter 1:03, and in order to enhance transparency, credibility and impartiality in the conduct of the General and Regional Elections which will be held in Guyana on 1st September, 2025, the Guyana Elections Commission is pleased to invite Local/domestic Organisations/Groups that are desirous of observing the elections to apply for accreditation to observe the elections.”
According to GECOM, all local observer groups would be required to fulfil the following minimum standards: familiarity and experience with electoral laws and procedures; previous experience of election monitoring and/or other relevant experience or know-how and specific training, national and/or international; interpersonal skills (e.g. capacity of balanced judgement, ability to work in teams, ability to cope with difficult situations, respect for diverse attitudes, good communication skills, readiness to work in a multi-cultural environment); ability to maintain professional independence and strict impartiality in the conduct of duties and demonstrated commitment to democracy and human rights.
In recent months, political parties have raised concerns about the non-implementation of recommendations by international and local observers to improve the conduct of elections here. Back in April, the Alliance For Change had said: “The Guyana Elections Commission appears uninterested in implementing the key recommendations of the international observer missions which included the Carter Centre, the Organisation of American States – the OAS, the European Union (EU), the Commonwealth to name a few as outlined in their final reports. These fundamental recommendations were well articulated at the time and recommended to ensure that the challenges and errors of the 2020 elections debacle would not be repeated.”
The party had argued that with improvements to the systems at GECOM, citizens would be confident in its ability to deliver free and fair elections to them. He also highlighted that there are particular recommendations that are important, like “the OAS, Carter Centre, and EU observer missions all called for a comprehensive reform of the voter registration system. The undertaking of a house-to-house registration process at the earliest opportunity on completion of the 2020 election and a thorough update of the decades-old voters register well ahead of the next election cycle based on inclusive consultations and political consensus.”
Furthermore, the EU and the Commonwealth highlighted that there is a need for urgent electoral and constitutional reformation, to properly address “polarisation of the nation, including the merits and demerits of the Elections Commission and the electoral system.”
Additionally, it was also highlighted by the OAS, Carter Centre and European Union, the importance of using technology to ensure that there is timely release and publication of results and “the need for clear written procedures for the transmission and tabulation of results to ensure consistency and traceability and the possibility for all authorised stakeholders to examine SOP’s.” Other recommendations made included objections to the use of private residents as polling stations, the need for regulation of campaign finance, GECOM regularly engaging its stakeholders, and technology to assist in the identification of persons at the place of poll.
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