Former Barbados Prime Minister, Owen Arthur will be leading the Commonwealth Observer group to the General and Regional Elections, scheduled for March 2.
“This is the seventh consecutive election that the Commonwealth has observed in Guyana and our presence here affirms the support of the Commonwealth to this country and its democratic processes,” Arthur said in a statement.
The Group was constituted following an invitation from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in November. It is comprised of 11 eminent persons drawn from across the different regions of the Commonwealth, including Africa, Asia, the Caribbean, Europe and the Pacific.
“They bring a wealth of experience from across the social and political spectrum with expertise in the fields of politics, election management, law, the media, gender, civil society and human rights. Our mandate is to observe and evaluate the electoral process independently and impartially,” he said.
The former PM noted that the group will assess the pre-election environment, polling day activities and the post-election period and consider the various factors impinging on the credibility of the electoral process. The group will then report on whether it has been conducted in line with Guyana’s national legislation, as well as the country’s regional and international commitments.
The group arrived in Georgetown yesterday and began its briefing programme today. Over the next three days, the body will continue to meet with key stakeholders including the Guyana Elections Commission, political parties, civil society, the media, the police and citizens and international observers.
The Commonwealth Secretariat staff, who arrived in advance of the Group on 19 February, observed early voting of the disciplined forces on 21 February.
From Friday 28 March, Observers will be deployed in small teams across the country to observe preparations ahead of polling day and meet with local stakeholders. On Election Day, it will observe the opening, voting, closing, counting and the results management processes.
An interim statement on its preliminary findings will be issued on March 4, 2020. A final report will then be prepared and submitted to the Commonwealth Secretary-General, and subsequently shared with relevant stakeholders and the public. The Group will depart Guyana on 9 March 2020.
“We are aware of the significance of these elections to the people of Guyana and we call on all stakeholders to demonstrate commitment to a peaceful, transparent, credible and inclusive election. On behalf of the Group, I wish the people of Guyana well as they go out to exercise their right to vote on Monday,” Arthur noted.
The Commonwealth Observer Group is composed of: Rt Hon Owen Arthur, Former Prime Minister and Professor (Barbados); Ms Lebrechtta Nana Oye Bayne, Social Economist & Gender Expert (Antigua and Barbuda); Sir Gerald A. Watt KCN, QC, Speaker of the House of Representatives (Antigua and Barbuda); Ms Lisa Shoman, Former Foreign Minister and Tribunal Judge and Senior Counsel (Belize); Ms Josephine Tamai, Chief Elections Officer (Belize);
Mr John Hendra, Former United Nations Assistant Secretary-General (Canada);
Hon Gitobu Imathiu Imanyara, Former MP (Kenya); Ms Mitra Vasisht, Ambassador of India (Retired) (India); Ms Sarah Fradgley, Media Expert (New Zealand/UK); Dr Paikiasothy Saravanamuttu, Executive Director, Centre for Policy Alternatives (Sri Lanka); and Mr Stephen John Hiscock, Retired Diplomat (UK).
