Ahead of 2025 polls: ERC meets EU Elections Exploratory Mission
The Ethnic Relations Commission (ERC) on Friday held discussions with a delegation from the European Union (EU) Elections Exploratory Mission, focusing on mutual interests and ongoing preparations for Guyana’s 2025 General and Regional Elections.
The EU team was led by Spiro Polycandriotis van Duynhoven, Deputy Head of Mission at the Delegation of the European Union to Guyana. The delegation also included key officials such as Dr Lydia Malmedie from the European External Action Service (EEAS); Dr Armin Rabitsch, Political-Legal Team Leader; Kairi Kasmann, Head of Sector for Election Observation; as well as Scipion Du Chatenet and Arild Nodland.
Representing the ERC was Chairman Shaikh Moeenul Hack, accompanied by Commissioners Chandrowtie Sarran, Norris Witter, Krishn Sharma, Neaz Subhan, and Deon Dick (Ras Khafra), as well as Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Gomin Camacho.
Chairman Hack used the opportunity to highlight the Commission’s extensive work during previous elections and briefed the EU team on current and upcoming initiatives for the 2025 elections. He underscored the Commission’s ongoing Countering Hate Speech campaign and noted plans to engage with parliamentarians and political parties in the lead-up to the polls.
ERC team meeting with the EU Elections Exploratory Mission on Friday
Commissioners emphasised the ERC’s vital role in fostering peace and harmony during the election season. They stressed the shared responsibility of all stakeholders to uphold unity and maintain a peaceful environment. As part of its election strategy, the ERC plans to deploy 100 campaign monitors and 200 observers on election day.
The EU delegation informed the ERC that their mission is in Guyana at the request of the Government to conduct exploratory assessments ahead of the 2025 elections. The EU has a history of involvement in Guyana’s electoral process, having deployed an Election Observation Mission (EOM) in 2020 and maintaining active engagement with the ERC since then.
The ERC expressed gratitude for the EU’s continued interest and reaffirmed its commitment to collaborating with the EU as a trusted partner in the democratic process.
Both parties acknowledged the importance of transparency, inclusivity, and cooperation in ensuring credible and peaceful elections later this year.
