PSC reaffirms commitment to democracy ahead of elections

As Guyana goes to the polls on September 1, the Private Sector Commission (PSC) has reaffirmed its support for democracy, the rule of law, and electoral integrity, while urging political leaders and citizens alike to ensure that the upcoming General and Regional Elections are peaceful and transparent. In a statement issued on Saturday, the PSC, which is serving as an accredited observer mission, said it is confident in the ability of the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) to deliver credible results. “We reiterate our confidence in the Guyana Elections Commission and its ability to conduct these elections in a free, fair, and transparent manner,” the PSC declared. “Having engaged directly with GECOM and reviewed their operational readiness, we are satisfied that the necessary systems are in place to deliver a credible process worthy of the Guyanese people.”
The PSC noted that it has been working closely with international and diplomatic observer missions, including the United States (US), United Kingdom (UK), Canada, and the European Union (EU) as well as other accredited partners.
“We commend the invaluable contributions of the embedded International Missions that have been working alongside GECOM over recent months to strengthen its technical capacity and institutional preparedness,” the statement continued. “We extend our appreciation for their continued support of democracy, peace, and stability in Guyana.”
Security and stability were also highlighted, with the PSC commending the preparedness of the Joint Services and National Security Agencies.
“We fully support their zero-tolerance position on violence, intimidation and any attempt at unrest,” the body said. “We echo their message that any such actions will be effectively confronted under any circumstance.” At the same time, the Commission issued a strong call to political leaders, urging them to act responsibly in guiding their supporters. “We therefore call on all political leaders to demonstrate the highest level of integrity, accountability and leadership during this time,” the PSC said. “Leaders must hold themselves accountable for the actions of their supporters. We reject any suggestion that leaders cannot control their base. If you wish to lead the nation, you must first lead by example.”
The statement went on to condemn recent remarks promoting violence, warning that such rhetoric undermines the country’s democratic process.
“We condemn, in the strongest possible terms, recent remarks promoting that party supporters should resort to violence. Such rhetoric has no place in our democracy,” the PSC stressed. “Leaders who incite unrest or deny responsibility for their supporters must be held accountable.” Emphasising its call for a peaceful process, the Commission reminded all stakeholders that Guyana’s international reputation is at stake. “Guyana’s future rests on our collective commitment to democracy, the rule of law and the peaceful expression of political will,” the PSC underscored. “On September 1, let us show the world that Guyana’s democracy is resilient, that our people are united in peace and that our leaders are worthy of the trust placed in them to govern the continued development and progress of Guyana.” The PSC said it will continue to monitor and report on the electoral process in collaboration with its international partners, ensuring that the results reflect the will of the Guyanese people.