Legislation needed to block use of State resources for campaigning – CARICOM election observer chief

Last Updated on Tuesday, 2 September 2025, 23:07 by Writer

Caribbean Community (CARICOM) member states should pass regional model legislation to prohibit incumbent governments from using State resources to campaign for elections, the Chief of the Caribbean Community’s (CARICOM) election observer mission Josephine Tamai.

Noting that there are always allegation of the use of State resources for election campaigning, she recommended that there be a “cut-off point” when an election is called “so that persons, who are still basically involved, don’t have access to these resources, because they actually belong to the people of the country.”

She said such a limit should be enshrined in law, rather than policy or regulations.

Ms Tamai said her mission that observed Guyana’s general and regional elections that were held on September 1 was informed that there was abuse of State resources. Such an issue, she said, would be commented on in the CARICOM Election Observer Mission’s report after evidence is obtained

“We were told that persons were using helicopters and other things to campaign, right. But like I said, once we get those documentations, then we’ll be able to report on that more,” said Ms Tamai who is Chief Elections Officer of the Elections and Boundaries Department of Belize.

President Irfaan Ali used the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) helicopter and aircraft to crisscross Guyana and open new schools, hospitals and other facilities and at the same time called on residents and attendees to vote for his People’s Progressive Party Civic (PPPC).

The United States-based Carter Center had expressed similar concerns but, in response, PPP General Secretary Bharrat Jagdeo said nothing was wrong with governments boasting about keeping their achievements, and such activities were good for democracy.