Implement election observers’ recommendations soon – Britain tells Ali gov’t

Last Updated on Monday, 8 September 2025, 22:47 by Writer

Britain wants Guyana to take action swiftly on rafts of recommendations by several missions that observed the South American nation’s general and regional elections that were held on September 1.

“We also support the findings and recommendations of other observer missions, notably the EU observer mission, and encourage the new government to engage with and implement these recommendations early in its new term,” the British High Commission said in a statement.

Dr Ali, in his inauguration address, made no mention of the way forward for the recommendations made by the several observer groups but said they played a major role in ensuring that the polls were run properly. “I also thank the local and international observers, whose presence strengthened the credibility of this exercise, and who played an important role in ensuring that our democracy was preserved and our election was free, fair, smooth and well managed,” he said.

Except for several amendments to the Representation of the People Act to tighten the electoral system in light of efforts to use sources of voting data other than statements of poll, the People’s Progressive Party Civic administrations have shown no appetite to implement recommendations by the several election observer missions dating back to 1992.

Among the major observations made by the European Union Electoral Observer Mission was one which stated that “undue advantage of incumbency distorted the level playing field during the election campaign.” This was virtually echoed in separate statements by the Commonwealth, The Carter Center and Caribbean Community (CARICOM) observer missions.

People’s Progressive Party (PPP) General Secretary Bharrat Jagdeo had said that he saw nothing wrong with governments campaigning on promises by way of the commissioning of projects.

Observer groups recommended reforming campaign financing, removal of the names of deceased persons from the voters list, equitable access to the publicly-funded State media, restructuring of the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) and the need for special provisions for elderly and disabled persons to cast their ballots. The British High Commission hoped that the issue of accessibility would be “addressed in future elections.”

All of the observer missions praised the GECOM for ensuring a “peaceful and 0rderly” voting day process.

The British High Commission congratulated Guyanese for a “successful and peaceful election”. “The UK, alongside other diplomatic missions and international organisations, observed the elections and saw the free exercise of the people of Guyana to choose their government.”

Britain promised to assist Guyana in improving its electoral machinery and system. “As a friend of Guyana and its people, the UK stands ready to support these efforts, and looks forward to deepening the bonds of friendship that bind our two nations in the years ahead,” the High Commission said.

The European Union (EU), which is separate and distinct from the Electoral Observation Mission, commended the Guyanese electorate and GECOM for “ensuring that the elections were conducted in a calm and peaceful manner, reaffirming Guyana’s steadfast commitment to the democratic process.”

The EU said it is “excited to strengthen these bonds” with Guyana in the shared principles of democracy, human rights, and the rule of law.

The U.S. Embassy, in its statement, commended the Organization of American States (OAS) and other international observers for their impartial monitoring and thorough analysis, “which have been instrumental in promoting transparency and accountability in this election.”