The Carter Center has called on all political parties that contested Guyana’s September 1, 2025 General and Regional elections to submit their campaign finance reports in accordance with national election law.
In a statement issued on October 17, the Center reminded parties of their legal obligation under the Representation of the People Act to submit post-election financial disclosures to the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) within 35 days of the declaration of official results.
“With publication of the results in the Official Gazette on Sept. 16, these reports are due for submission to the chief election officer of GECOM imminently,” the statement said.
The Atlanta-based organisation urged parties to comply with the requirement “as a step toward fostering a culture of transparency and accountability.” The Center also announced that its final election observation report will include recommendations related specifically to campaign finance reform, a longstanding concern in Guyana’s electoral landscape.
Carter Center Observed 2025 Polls
The Carter Center was among the accredited international observers monitoring Guyana’s 2025 General and Regional elections. In its pre-election statement issued August 19, the organisation raised concerns over the lack of campaign finance transparency, noting the absence of effective regulation or enforcement mechanisms to govern political donations and spending.
At that time, the Center stated:
“Guyana’s campaign finance system continues to lack transparency, and media fairness remains a concern.”
Observers also pointed to the misuse of state resources, such as government vehicles and state media, during the campaign period—practices the Center said run contrary to international standards for fair elections.
Ongoing Transparency Concerns
Campaign finance has been a persistent issue in Guyana’s electoral process. While the law requires parties to submit financial reports after elections, there are no meaningful penalties for noncompliance, nor are the reports routinely made public. Transparency advocates have long criticized this lack of enforcement as undermining public confidence in the integrity of elections.
With campaign finance reform expected to feature prominently in the Carter Center’s forthcoming report, the organization’s renewed call comes at a time when concerns over state resource abuse and partisan advantage remain fresh following the September 1 vote.
The Center has a long-standing history of involvement in Guyana’s democratic processes, dating back to its observation of the 1992 elections, and is widely regarded as an independent and credible voice on governance and electoral matters.
