The Ethnic Relations Commission (ERC) on Wednesday, June 17th, 2026 welcomed a delegation from The Carter Center to its boardroom for cordial discussions on the Center’s Final Report on Guyana’s 2025 General and Regional Elections and on the institutions shared interest in strengthening social cohesion in Guyana.
The Carter Center was represented by Mr. Jason Calder, Country Director of the Center’s International Election Observation Mission, and Ms. Brett Lacy, Associate Director of the Center’s Democracy Programme. The Commission’s delegation was led by ERC Chairman Shaikh Moeenul Hack, joined by Deputy Chairman Mr. Charles Ogle and Commissioners Ras Khafra, Mrs. Chandrowtie Sarran, Mr. Neaz Subhan and Mr. Norris Witter, together with the Commission’s Chief Executive Officer (ag), Ms. Oma Sukhu.
In welcoming the delegation, the ERC’s Chairman thanked The Carter Center for its longstanding contribution to safeguarding and strengthening democracy in Guyana since 1992 and noted the value of the Center’s continued engagement with the country.
The Chairman briefed the delegation on the Commission’s role throughout the 2025 electoral process, during which the ERC engaged communities before, during and after the elections and fielded the largest group of local election-day observers. He also highlighted the Commission’s wider peacebuilding and education work, including its Harmony Clubs in schools and its diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) training programmes across the public and private sector bodies, among other areas.
The Carter Center delegation discussed, inter alia, that it was meeting with national stakeholders to discuss the findings and recommendations of its Final Report with a view of exploring how it might support their advancement.
The delegation commended the peaceful conduct of the 2025 elections, acknowledged the ERC’s role in supporting its observation work, and shared a copy of its election observation handbook with the Commission. Both sides welcomed the close alignment of their mandates in promoting inclusivity and peaceful conduct.
While challenges and concerns were noted on both sides, the ERC and The Carter Center affirmed their shared commitment to strengthening democratic institutions and fostering national unity and welcomed the opportunity for continued cooperation in the years ahead.
