The European Union (EU) has pledged its support for the electoral reform process in Guyana, while expressing optimism at pledges made by President Dr Irfaan Ali during his inauguration address on Saturday.
EU Spokesperson for Foreign Affairs and Security, Peter Stano
This is according to a statement released by European Union lead Spokesperson for Foreign Affairs and Security, Peter Stano. According to Stano, the EU welcomes the peaceful conclusion of the five-month-long electoral process.
He noted that this is an essential step towards consolidating democracy in Guyana. According to him, however, now is the time for all parties and stakeholders to come together to overcome past differences.
“The EU welcomes the peaceful and democratic conclusion of the electoral process in Guyana and congratulates President Irfaan Ali on his swearing-in. It is essential now that all parties and stakeholders work together diligently to overcome past differences and join efforts in uniting all Guyanese.”
File photo: EU Ambassador to Guyana, Fernando Ponz-Canto (right) hands over the EU EOM report to GECOM Chair, Retired Justice Claudette Singh, back in June
Stano observed that President Ali, during his inauguration speech, made reference to constitutional and electoral reform. Therefore, Stano said that the EU looks forward to the implementation of these promises.
Further, Stano explained that the EU itself stands ready to support this electoral reform process. He said that this is the basis of the final report on Guyana’s elections from the EU Electoral Observer Mission.
“The EU takes note of President Ali’s inauguration speech, where a commitment to constitutional and electoral reforms was made, and looks forward to its implementation. The EU has been a staunch supporter of democracy and rule of law throughout the entire process,” Stano explained.
“On the basis of the recommendations presented in the final report of the European Union Election Observation Mission (EU EOM) the EU stands ready to support this reform process in cooperation with the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) and other electoral stakeholders.”
EU EOM
Following an invitation by former President David Granger, the European Union had deployed its first-ever fully-fledged EU EOM to stay in Guyana between January 25 and March 20, 2020, for the pre- and post-election period.
In total, the mission had comprised 55 observers from 25 EU member states and Norway, with a mandate to assess the electoral process against international obligations and commitments for democratic elections as well as the laws of Guyana.
Back in June, in the midst of the National Recount, the EU had submitted the report to the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) which had said that voting was an orderly and well-managed affair. The Observation Mission concluded that, overall, the elections were competitive and contestants could campaign freely, even though the process took place in a deeply polarised environment.
It added, too, that legal uncertainty, unregulated political finance, biased State media, and lack of transparency in the administration of elections characterised the pre-election context. However, the report had made it clear that the actions of senior Guyana Elections Commission officials compromised the post-electoral process.
The EU had made 26 recommendations, including reviewing election legislation and fostering more transparency in campaigning. These include eight priority recommendations suggesting a review and consolidation of the fragmented election legislation.
The EU also recommended the launching of a consultation process to overhaul the composition and functioning of GECOM; development of effective legislation to regulate political finance; fostering of transparency and accountability in online and offline campaigning; transforming the State-owned media into a genuine public service broadcaster.
In addition, it had recommended adopting clear, written procedures for transmission and tabulation of election results; accompanying any declaration of results by simultaneous publication of detailed Polling Station results and digital copies of all Statements of Poll; and establishing a comprehensive election dispute resolution system. (G3)
