Carter Center flags reports of fear among public servants who do not back PPP  

Aug 20, 2025 News

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…local airlines denying Mohamed flights also raised

 

Kaieteur News – The Carter Center has expressed concerns that the We Invest in Nationhood (WIN) presidential candidate, Azruddin Mohamed has been denied interior airline service for campaign flights and reports that the party in some instances has been denied use of local public areas for campaign meetings.

These campaign issues raise concerns about equal application of the rights of freedom of association, the center said in a pre-election statement released on Tuesday. Mohamed has complained in the past that none of the local airlines would provide charter services to him, which he said has greatly hampered his ability to access some of the interior locations to campaign.

The center founded by the late US President, Jimmy Carter noted that freedoms of opinion and expression, as well as freedom of association and assembly, are essential elements of the right of political participation. “The Carter Center has received allegations from opposition and new parties of an atmosphere of fear among public sector workers, local business owners, and community members, who are concerned about losing their jobs or future economic opportunities if they do not display support for the ruling party.

The center noted that in two instances reported to them an employee of Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo) and a police corporal appear to have been transferred to new posts after encounters with WIN’s presidential candidate. The Carter Center said it is also concerned about reports from the Guyana Press Association of attempts to censor and intimidate journalists by government officials, opposition candidates, and party supporters. “The Center urges all political parties and state bodies to respect the rights of individuals to associate freely and calls on all parties to refrain from any actions that could be construed as intimidation or victimisation.” The Center said too that equitable treatment of candidates and political parties during elections, and the maintenance of an open and transparent campaign environment, are critical to ensuring the integrity of democratic elections and the right of every citizen to be elected. This right is a universal one and requires that states ensure that their citizens have the opportunity to run for elected office, free from unreasonable restrictions.

Peaceful manner

In its statement the Carter Center noted that all of the political parties approved to contest the election are campaigning across the country and that the campaign has proceeded in a generally peaceful manner with no major incidents of violence, although some confrontations at public meetings and overheated rhetoric have been reported.

“There also have been some videos posted on social media of flags of one party being removed and replaced by those of another party. Political parties should instruct their supporters to refrain from these and other similar behaviours, as such incidents can escalate and infringe upon the right of people to organise and assemble in an environment free from fear,” the report noted.

The center said posters, billboards, and party flags are on wide display, and the parties are holding everything from large rallies to smaller public meetings. “The Center has received complaints from new parties regarding delays in approval from the police for campaign events and notes that the police have indicated that they intend to approve campaign requests quickly.”

The Carter Center has worked in Guyana since 1991 to strengthen democracy, support civil society, encourage sustainable development, and reinforce the rule of law. The Carter Center is a recognised leader in the international election observation community and has conducted 125 election observation missions globally, including in Guyana in 1992, 2001, 2006, 2015, and 2020. In addition to work on elections, The Carter Center has conducted a range of activities in Guyana, including helping Guyanese articulate a comprehensive vision and development strategy; supporting civil society groups working to advance the status of women, youth, and Amerindians; assisting judicial system reform programs in partnership with the High Court, the chief justice, the Guyana Bar Association, and the Guyana Association of Women Lawyers; facilitating conflict resolution efforts in support of peace and political dialogue; and supporting government, industry, and civil society stakeholders to comply with the requirements of the Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative.

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• Azruddin Mohamed, Carter Center, fear, GUYSUCO, PPP, public servants, We Invest in Nationhood

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