Calls grow for genuine constitutional reform not cosmetic change

Nov 19, 2025 News

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(Kaieteur News) – The EU Elections Observation Mission (EOM) has pointed to the need for enhanced key electoral reforms through an established and robust Constitutional Reform Commission (CRC) framework.

Chief Observer, Chief Observer Robert Biedroń, in presenting the final report at the Pegasus Suites on Friday, said that many stakeholders are waiting for the constitution of the CRC so that the body can fulfil its mandate.

“The CRC has a legal mandate to consult on and propose electoral reforms – supporting this year’s CRC’s process with solid electoral and legal expertise could be the key to driving a well framed future electoral reform of a constitutional nature. Therefore, we recommend enhancing the prospects for key electoral reform through necessary electoral expertise as part of a robust CRC operational framework…”

Biedroń explained that in absence of an active CRC, the country cannot adopt clear and comprehensive campaign rules.

“In those elections, we saw how the line between State and party was often blurred. For example, public projects inauguration or government social programmes were used in ways that clearly supported one party. State vehicles were observed transporting supporters to campaign events. Government social media channels supported PPP/C campaigns. Clear and forcible rules for how public officials use State resources and government communication can be used in election period… We therefore recommend adopting clear and comprehensive campaign rules…,” the Chief Observer said.

Meanwhile, in its report, the observation mission reminded that “the 21-member CRC was legislated in 2022 and formed in 2024 to engage in public consultations including on electoral matters, however it has yet to commence its work, which was reportedly delayed due to logistical and financial challenges and deficiencies in member selection.”

The EU report noted that the body could be crucial to promoting consensus around key electoral reforms including on the future of the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM).

“The GECOM, as a constitutional body, has a partisan framework which splits the commission into opposing sides, precluding broader stakeholder inclusion and risking inefficient decision making,” the report said pointing to representatives of the government and opposition sitting on the elections commission.

“A 21-member Constitutional Reform Commission which could address this issue has yet to begin its work, including on electoral reforms and a target period for publicising its methodology and timeframes is overdue, reportedly due to logistical challenges and deficiencies in member selection. Its role, underpinned by the necessary expertise, will be crucial to several aspects of electoral reform.”

Importantly, the mission stressed that the law sets requirements for financing the CRC and a target period for publicising its methodology and timeframes, which are positive measures to increase trust once carried out.

Given the CRC’s key role, the EU observation mission noted that electoral expertise is important for robust outputs and meaningful electoral reforms.

Back in September, the Carter Center Observer Mission released its preliminary findings on Guyana’s general and regional elections, urging the incoming government to implement reforms aimed at fostering a more equitable electoral process and restoring public confidence in GECOM and the country’s democracy.

During a press conference held at the Pegasus Suites, Jason Carter, head of the Carter Center Mission, emphasised the urgent need for systemic reform in Guyana. “We have called for years on Guyana’s leaders, in this new government and parliament, whomever, they may be to continue the crucial discussions around constitutional reforms to implement campaign finance reform, it is especially important to ensure there is equal access to public information about the contracts that are about the things that affect people in their daily lives, and this is crucial issue between elections.”

He said, “elections are really a report card on democracy. They are not the democracy itself. There is so much that occurs between elections that would be crucially important,” he said. The Center commended the previous parliament’s efforts to establish a Constitutional Reform Commission (CRC) and urged the new government to allow the commission to resume its work immediately.

The Carter Center encouraged commissioners to engage meaningfully with the Guyanese people on reforming the electoral system, creating a more independent and less politicised elections body and strengthening democratic checks and balances within government institutions.

Further, in its preliminary report, explaining the need for constitutional reform, the Carter Center highlighted that Guyana’s highly polarised political environment and the deep lack of trust between major parties have significantly undermined the effectiveness of the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM). “The commission struggled to reach consensus decisions, even on minor matters, which at times led to gridlock and hampered GECOM’s ability to improve its operations,” the report stated. The Center emphasized that persistent political polarization has blocked many significant initiatives intended to improve the administration of elections.

To address these issues, the Carter Center recommended structural reforms to GECOM aimed at enhancing its independence, professionalism, and efficiency while reducing the direct influence of the country’s two dominant political parties. “The Carter Center is encouraged by the establishment of a Constitutional Reform Commission and is hopeful that it will resume its work immediately and consider alternative independent and depoliticized structures for the country’s election management body,” the Center noted.

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• Carter Center, constitutional reform, CRC, EU Elections Observation Mission, Robert Biedroń

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