Guyana’s General and Regional Elections, held on September 1, were praised by international observers from the Organisation of American States (OAS), who described the process as “peaceful, disciplined, and orderly.” Chief of Mission Bruce Golding, former Prime Minister of Jamaica, applauded the conduct of voters and election officials during his visits to over 60 polling stations on election day.
Golding commended the professionalism of staff from the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM), stating, “They knew what they were doing, and they were not hesitant in applying the rules and guidelines.” He also highlighted the care shown to vulnerable and differently abled voters as a clear indication of the training and preparedness of polling staff.
The OAS mission, which continued into the evening to observe the vote count and tabulation, stressed that maintaining order throughout the final stages of the electoral process is critical to ensuring credibility. Referencing the controversial tabulation process during the 2020 elections in Region Four, Golding expressed confidence in the improvements made since then. “I don’t anticipate a reoccurrence of that problem. There have been amendments to the regulations regarding the tabulation process, and I expect that the tabulation will proceed smoothly,” he said.
However, the OAS did not address numerous allegations of irregularities that surfaced throughout election day and were widely circulated on social media and reported by local media outlets. These included claims of voter intimidation, allegations that leaders of the People’s Progressive Party (PPP) were instructing individuals to vote for their party, and violations of the Representation of the People Act (ROPA), such as the use of cellphones inside voting booths. These issues have sparked public concern, particularly in a political environment where, as many have noted, the presidency or control of the National Assembly could be determined by a single vote—making every reported irregularity potentially decisive.
By the close of polls at 18:00 hrs, yesterday the OAS noted no major incidents. Still, Golding called the day a proud moment for the nation and encouraged all parties to show the same level of discipline and respect once the final results are declared.
Vote tabulation is currently underway, and the Guyana Elections Commission has indicated that final results are expected to be announced on September 4.
