The European Union Election Observation Mission (EU EOM) in Guyana today presented its preliminary findings on the 1 September General and Regional elections. Critical stages of the electoral process, including the tabulation of results, are ongoing.
The polls were peaceful and efficiently managed, with polling stations opening on time and voters participating in an orderly manner. “Voters cast their votes in a calm and peaceful manner. Our observers were present in towns and villages where they saw a dedicated polling staff, predominantly women, efficiently facilitating voting. With the tabulation not yet finalised, we expect standards of transparency will continue to be followed until the final results,” said Chief Observer Robert Biedroń, Member of the European Parliament.
The Guyana Elections Commission administered the elections efficiently. Its decision-making, however, remains affected by political divisions, which continue to influence public trust. While the legal framework provides an adequate basis for holding democratic elections, gaps remain, particularly for transparency, accountability and accessibility for persons with disabilities. Some transparency measures were implemented for the first time on Election Day, testing new legal provisions.
The campaign was inclusive and competitive, with six political parties registered nationwide. Fundamental freedoms were largely respected. Yet the undue advantages of incumbency contributed to an uneven playing field.
The media landscape was strongly politicised, giving voters fewer opportunities to access diverse perspectives. The digital space was dynamic but often hostile, with manipulative content spread by partisan actors. Encouragingly, some independent outlets and social media pages provided balanced information helping voters to make informed choices.
“Strong independent institutions and a comprehensive legal framework are key to building robust election processes and developing a resilient democracy. We truly hope that the next government will seize the opportunity to implement much needed reforms and that our recommendations contribute to such efforts.” Chief Observer Robert Biedroń added.
The EU EOM deployed 50 observers across all regions of Guyana, ensuring comprehensive observation of the electoral process. The mission will remain in the country to observe the remaining stages, including the tabulation of results, and will present a final report with comprehensive recommendations in the coming weeks.
