Canada teaming up with Commonwealth, Carter Center for Guyana’s general elections; 24 parties signal interest in contesting polls

Last Updated on Wednesday, 25 June 2025, 19:30 by Writer

Canada’s High Commissioner to Guyana Sébastien Sigouin on Tuesday indicated that the Commonwealth and the Carter Center would play roles in ensuring the September 1 general and regional elections are free and fair.

“Canada will work with the Guyana Council of Organisations for Persons with Disabilities. We will work with the Organisation of American States and we will work with the Carter Center to ensure accessibility, transparency and fairness because a strong democracy makes for a strong nation,” he told a Canada Day reception.

Mr Sigouin’s announcement was made even as the election management authority said 24 parties have signaled their interest in contesting the polls. “Twenty-four political parties desirous of contesting in the upcoming General and Regional Elections have submitted symbols to the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) for approval,” the Commission said in a statement.

In his remarks at the reception, President Irfaan Ali said, “we are committed to upholding the very same principle of transparency, fairness and respect for the will of the people.” In that regard, he said Guyana takes inspiration and encouragement from its democratic partners including Canada.

GECOM said it is scheduled to decide whether the symbols are accepted by July 1, and immediately after the political parties would be informed. The elections commission said political parties would be required to use those “pre-approved” symbols to submit their lists of candidates for the general and regional elections on July 14.

While the results of Suriname’s May 25 general election were being finalised, Mr Sigouin hailed the electoral process as “peaceful and well-organised”. The Canadian envoy said his country was on standby to assist Suriname and Guyana in their post-election periods. “Now, both Guyana and Suriname – for both of those countries – the road ahead may have challenges but Canada will be here as a partner and as a friend,” he said.

The European Union has also promised to dispatch an election observer mission to Guyana.

The heads of the American, British, Canadian and European Union diplomatic missions recently met separately with a number of political parties.

Leader of the Opposition, and the People’s National Congress Reform political party said earlier this month after meeting the Western diplomatic chiefs of mission that, “I was satisfied with the meeting and proposals made by the international community in an attempt to have free and fair elections.”

Despite recommendations by election observer missions to address campaign financing legislation, a deeply politically divided GECOM, size of the voters list and abuse of the State-owned media, nothing has been done over the years to address any of those issues.