While stressing that their role was simply to observe and not sanction, the seven members of the Commonwealth’s elections observer mission yesterday urged political parties to engage in “constructive” campaigning and be responsible in their response to the declared results.
“We encourage political parties to take a constructive approach to campaigning
in these remaining days before the election. We also strongly urge the parties to respond to the officially declared results in a responsible manner,” Kate Wilkinson, who heads the team, read from a statement at a press conference.
The group arrived in Guyana last Tuesday and is scheduled to leave six days after next Monday’s polls.
“We will assess whether the elections have been conducted according to the standards to which Guyana has committed itself, including through its constitutional and legislative framework and relevant Commonwealth and international commitments,” Wilkinson said.
Questioned on the mission’s position on the failure to implement many of the last Commonwealth observer mission’s recommendations on the electoral process, Wilkinson emphasised that the team’s role is not to implement procedures but to observe and make recommendations. “We are not here in an executive role, we are here to supervise,” she said.
She informed that yesterday and today will be used to meet with stakeholders so as to gain a firsthand understanding of the local electoral process.
The team will then on Saturday be deployed to various locations countrywide to observe the elections environment and preparations for polling day.
On Monday, the team will observe the opening and closing of the polls, the polling itself, counting of votes and transmittal of results. They will consult with other observer groups which will have teams throughout the country and will give a preliminary statement of findings shortly after the elections.
The group hopes that its presence will give voters confidence and that there will be a high voter turnout on Monday.
