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‘Your voice, your vote’ – Canadian envoy urges Guyanese to demand free and fair elections
(Kaieteur News) – The Canadian High Commissioner to Guyana, Sébastien Sigouin, has called on citizens to raise their voices and demand urgent action to ensure the country’s electoral process is truly free and fair, following the release of the European Union Election Observation Mission (EOM) report.
Less than 24 hours after the report was made public, Sigouin took to social media, urging Guyanese to hold their leaders accountable and push for reforms recommended in the EU report. While acknowledging that Election Day ran smoothly, Sigouin emphasised that much work remains to strengthen the electoral framework. “Democracy belongs to the Guyanese people,” he said. “So speak up, call on your elected representatives, on your National Assembly, on your Government to take action and make the changes needed so that your electoral process is truly free and fair. It’s your right and your responsibility.”
Canadian High Commissioner to Guyana, Sébastien Sigouin
On Tuesday the EU Elections Observation Mission (EOM) 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.
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- Canadian envoy, Elections, free and fair, High Commissioner, Sébastien Sigouin, Your voice, your vote
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