The Carter Center says that after “careful consideration”, it has withdrawn its electoral experts and international observers from Guyana.
Nevertheless, the Center noted its commitment to promote democracy and constitutional reform in Guyana and is willing to return when the electoral process resumes, assuming international travel is feasible.
“The Carter Center made the difficult decision to have the team leave Guyana earlier today after weighing a combination of factors, including the absence of an ongoing electoral process, increasing restrictions on international travel because of COVID-19, and the decline in the security environment in Guyana,” the center said.
It added: “In light of the current injunction and subsequent legal process, there is not currently electoral activity for The Carter Center to observe. The security environment in Georgetown has declined in the wake of the impasse created by the non-transparent tabulation process in Region 4. International observers have been harassed, and protestors supportive of the APNU+AFC coalition have at times blocked international observers from doing their work.”
The Center said that specific threats have also been made against the international community that are unacceptable and further undermine the credibility of the electoral process.
The Center hopes that conditions will be in place for CARICOM to return to Guyana to supervise a national recount. The Carter Center noted the Guyana Election Commission’s (GECOM’s) willingness to support the recount under CARICOM’s supervision and appreciated the measures taken to make that happen.
