Caricom Electoral Observers have found that Guyanese were given the opportunity under good conditions to elect a government on Election Day.
In a press release yesterday, Caricom said the Observers Mission was mounted at the invitation of the Guyana government to monitor the conduct of the General and Regional Elections on November 28.
The Core Group of Observers comprised two persons: Hensley Robinson of Barbados, Head of Mission and Lorna Simon of Antigua and Barbuda, Deputy Head of Mission who arrived in Guyana on November 22. The duo immediately hosted discussions with GECOM Chairman Dr Steve Surujbally, Chief Election Officer Gocool Boodoo, officials from the police, political parties, commerce and industry, the Guyana Public Service Union, the Trades Union Congress and the Guyana Human Rights Association.
The main party of the group which comprised 13 persons arrived in Guyana on November 24 and was joined by four persons from the Caricom Secretariat. Nineteen persons were deployed in eight teams of two each and one of three to cover Election Day activities, the press statement said. On Election Day one team was deployed in regions three, five and ten; two teams to Region Four and four teams to Region Six.
In addition to the “Scope of Services” provided by the Caricom Secretariat the teams were further advised to pay special attention to the opening of the poll; the voting process; the environment at polling stations and the closing of the poll and the count. Members of the mission visited a significant number of polling stations which provided them with adequate opportunity to make a good overall assessment on the conditions in those areas. “The polling stations opened on time and it was clear to all of us that the officials representing GECOM and the Chief Election Officer were well trained and prepared for the tasks,” the preliminary press statement said.
Observers noted long lines during the early hours of the poll, but despite this “behaviour was very good.” Officials remained calm and focused and observed that “the process was transparent and in those circumstances electors were able to give free expressions of their feelings when casting their ballots.” Observers also noted that despite the long lines immediately after the poll was opened, by mid-morning the lines had reduced significantly. During the day, the electoral officials continued to perform well and the procedures as laid down by GECOM were adequately followed.
At the closing of the poll at the 15 polling stations where the process was observed, there was no one waiting in line to cast a vote at 6pm; hence, only officials, police and observers witnessed the closing of the poll. “No issues arose with the counting of ballots. All the observers took part in that process and were satisfied with the proceedings, Caricom said. It also noted that a full report of the Mission’s findings and recommendations will be submitted to the Caricom Secretary-General.
