A delegation from the European Union (EU) recently visited Guyana and inquired about the electoral reform progress made since the contentious General and Regional Elections held in March 2020.
The team was led by Alexander Matus, Team Leader – Electoral Expert, and included Anne Marlborough, Legal Expert, and Evelina Melbarzde, Deputy Head of Delegation of the EU in Guyana. The country’s Attorney General and Legal Affairs Minister, Anil Nandlall met with the delegation at his Chamber on Carmichael Street, Georgetown.
The primary purpose of the visit was to conduct a thorough follow-up assessment of the advancements in Guyana’s electoral reform and the implementation of recommendations put forth by the EU Election Observation Mission after the March 2020 elections. The EU delegation expressed a keen interest in monitoring the measures taken by Guyana to strengthen and improve its electoral processes in the aftermath of the significant challenges faced during the previous elections.
During the meeting, the delegation inquired about the progress made by Guyana in addressing electoral reform and the specific steps taken to implement the recommendations provided by the EU Election Observation Mission. Additionally, the delegation offered assistance to aid the ongoing process of fortifying Guyana’s electoral mechanisms.
The Attorney General extended his appreciation to the delegation for their follow-up visit and acknowledged the vital role played by the EU in safeguarding democratic principles and electoral processes during the March 2020 elections. He provided comprehensive updates on the significant measures undertaken by Guyana in electoral reform, highlighting amendments made to crucial legislation such as the National Registration (Amendment) Act 2022 and the Representation of the People Act 2022. These amendments aimed to rectify deficiencies and address gaps in the existing laws, ensuring a more robust and transparent electoral system.
Reflecting on the past challenges, the Attorney General remarked, “We reviewed what transpired and saw where parts of the legislation were abused, and discretion was exercised in the most arbitrary and capricious manner. Gaps in the legislation were exploited in manners inimical to the electoral process, and we also saw the deficiencies of some of the provisions and the ambiguities that were exploited and led to interpretations that were clearly irrational.”
The AG further apprised the delegation of the ongoing efforts to hold individuals accountable for their alleged wrongdoings during the March 2020 elections. He also shared details about the recently published report of the Presidential Commission of Inquiry (CoI) into the General and Regional Elections, shedding light on its findings and recommendations.
Recognizing the EU as an essential partner to Guyana, Nandlall reiterated the government’s commitment to continuously strengthen the electoral machinery and enhance the democratic architecture of the country for the collective benefit of its citizens.
The visit concluded on a positive note, with both the EU delegation and Guyana expressing a mutual commitment to collaboration and cooperation in achieving a resilient and inclusive electoral system. The EU delegation reaffirmed its support for Guyana’s ongoing electoral reforms and expressed its willingness to assist in further strengthening the democratic processes of the country.
