Siete misiones internacionales se despliegan para las elecciones del lunes
Contexto: el próximo lunes 11 de mayo se celebran elecciones en Guyana para elegir al presidente, los 65 diputados del parlamento unicameral y los líderes de las 10 regiones del país. Están en condiciones de votar 570 mil 787 guyaneses. En los comicios competirán el gobernante Partido Progresista del Pueblo (PPP), en el poder desde 1992, la coalición compuesta por las opositoras Alianza por el Cambio y la Alianza para la Unidad Nacional (APNU+AFC) y otros seis partidos.
OAS, Caricom Observer Missions pay courtesy call on President
As Guyana heads for General and Regional Elections on May 11, several countries and organisations have dispatched observer missions to monitor the conduct of this historical event. Yesterday, members of the Organisation of American States (OAS) and CARICOM observer missions paid separate courtesy calls on Head of State, Donald Ramotar, at the Presidential Complex.
“The observer missions intend to focus on electoral organisation, financing, and the equal participation of all citizens in the electoral process,” a Government statement explained.
At least seven international observer missions are expected in Guyana for Monday’s polls.
These include the United Nations, the Carter Centre, the Commonwealth and the Union of South American Nations (UNASUR).
“The observer mission members have signed onto protocols, that cover their actions during the election period, and they are expected to visit most of the 2,299 polling stations across Guyana,” the statement said.
PPP/C to engage int’l observers ahead of E-day
The People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) has disclosed its intention to engage international observers on matters pertaining to the upcoming General and Regional Elections.
At a press conference at Freedom House on Wednesday, PPP/C General Secretary Clement Rohee told reporters that the party has several concerns with respect to security on elections’ day and the days after, and the conduct of political parties especially that of the People’s National Congress (PNC) led A Partnership for National Unity/Alliance for Change (APNU/AFC).
Already, the PPP/C has made several complaints of APNU/AFC provocative acts including incidents of bottle pelting, and in one particular incendiary incident an APNU supporter, allegedly the daughter of an APNU MP, urinating on a PPP/C flag, waving it aloft and leading youths in a chant of “We gon bun dem out!!”
Last Tuesday, the Carter Centre, which has an observer mission here in Guyana, said it is “deeply concerned about the provocative rhetoric in the campaign,” even as it condemned attempts “to sow fear and distrust among Guyana’s ethnic groups.” The centre also warned against attempts to undermine confidence in the country’s electoral process and institutions.
According to the centre, “it is imperative that political parties remain conscious of their obligations under the Political Party Code of Conduct for these elections and urge their supporters to behave accordingly.”
As Elections Day approaches, the Carter Centre is encouraging all Guyanese to make their strongest efforts to promote a peaceful and transparent electoral process. “These elections are an important opportunity for Guyanese to strengthen their commitment to one another and further consolidate their democracy.”
The Government had initially invited the United Nations, the Caribbean Community (Caricom), the Commonwealth and UNASUR; the Carter Centre, the United Kingdom Branch of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association, the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation, India and South Africa to observe the electoral process on Monday.
To date, observers from Commonwealth, Caricom, the Organisation of American States (OAS) and the Carter Centre have arrived in the country. It is unclear whether any other international observer mission is expected in the country at this time.
The groups are expected to assess all factors affecting the credibility of the electoral process as a whole, and determine whether the elections have been conducted according to the standards for democratic elections to which Guyana has committed itself, with reference to its own election-related legislation as well as relevant regional, Commonwealth and international commitments.
The observers are expected to visit a large number of the 2299 polling stations identified for the conduct of General and Regional Elections.
Meanwhile, seven local organisations have been granted approval by the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) to observe next Monday’s elections.
These are the Georgetown Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GCCI), the Private Sector Commission (PSC), Blue CAPS, the Electoral Affairs Bureau- a long standing observer of local elections, the Guyana Public Service Union (GPSU), the British High Commission and the United States Embassy here in Guyana.
