EU deploys 20 more elections observers across Guyana

The European Union Election Observation Mission (EU EOM) on Friday had deployed 20 short-term observers across the country ahead of Monday’s General and Regional Elections.

They will be joining the 14 long-term observers, who have been observing electoral preparations and the campaign across Guyana’s 10 regions since February 4, the EU said in a statement.
“The short-term observers will cover on Election Day, all 10 regions, observing in both urban and rural areas. They will be the eyes and the ears of the mission during polling, counting and tabulation of results,” the missive detailed.
It was noted that prior to their deployment, the short-term observers received a three-day in-depth briefing in Georgetown on all aspects of the electoral process.
The EU observer mission will be also joined by eight diplomats from EU member states accredited to Guyana. In total, the EU EOM will comprise on Election Day, 55 observers from 25 member states and Norway.

According to the missive, the EU EOM observers will be visiting Polling Stations to observe and take note of how the voting is conducted, assessing issues such as respect of the right to vote, secrecy of the vote, performance of polling staff, the role of party agents and domestic observers and women’s participation.
During the counting, it added, observers will assess the transparency, accuracy and integrity of the process. They will also observe the tabulation of results by Returning Officers in all 10 regions until the announcement of the results.
The EU EOM will issue a preliminary statement of its initial findings on March 4. However, a more comprehensive final report, including recommendations for future elections, will be presented approximately two to three months later.
The mission is independent in its findings and conclusions and EU observers adhere to a strict code of conduct for international observers that require they maintain strict neutrality and impartiality in the course of their work and do not interfere in the electoral process.
The EU deployed its core Elections Observation Mission, which consists of nine election analysts, since January 24, which will remain here until the completion of the electoral process.
Earlier this month, the 14 long-term observers joined the core team and were deployed across the country, and are now joined by the additional 20 short-term observers.
The EU EOM is being headed by Chief Observer Urmas Paet, a Member of the European Parliament.
During a press conference earlier this month, Paet urged that elections day should be free of violence, intimidation and interference.
“The European Union attaches great significance to these elections. We stand ready to deliver an impartial, objective assessment of the electoral process and call on all stakeholders to respect the rules and refrain from inflammatory language and violence… This election process should be free and fair. Every person with common sense should understand that violence, for example, is no solution. Not in any case,” he asserted.