GUYANA – Assistant Secretary General Albert R. Ramdin, who has just returned from an official visit to Guyana, told the Organization of American States (OAS) Permanent Council members today that a major challenge to holding elections in that country has to do with a lack of trust among the political parties and the absence of consensus-building mechanisms.
“Public confidence in the electoral authorities is low,” Ramdin told the member state representatives in reporting on his April 9-11 visit to Guyana. He urged the Electoral Commission and its Chairman to “make every effort to regain public confidence through strong leadership, effective and timely decision making, and efficient and regular communication on the state of preparedness and on the way forward regarding outstanding issues.”
A three-member mission from the OAS Secretariat accompanied Ramdin on this latest Guyana visit, which included meetings with President Bharrat Jagdeo, Foreign Minister Rudy Insanally and with CARICOM Secretary General Edwin Carrington. The mission also met with trade unions, the private sector and the Elections Assistance Bureau, other government officials, the international donor community and the media.
Noting that a date has not been set for elections, Ramdin said the Guyana government had explained that it would not be able to meet the constitutionally mandated August 4 date for the vote. He stressed three important decisions to be made in the coming weeks: the dissolution or extension of Parliament; the establishment of a firm date for the holding of general and regional elections; and the formula for governance after August 4, including legal mandates and restraining elements. “These critical decisions will necessitate constructive dialogue, induce intensive debate and influence developments in the country in the coming weeks and months,” he said.
Ramdin said the Elections Commission Chairman had informed him that he would notify the President as well as the Guyanese people in an address to the nation April 13, that the August 4 deadline will not be met due to a number of outstanding technical issues; chief among them is the finalization of the Preliminary List of Electors. “In the current electoral environment, the appropriate officials must assure the public that they can and will provide adequate security and law enforcement measures to protect citizens, maintain stability and facilitate the electoral process by allowing candidates to campaign and voters to cast their ballots on Election Day in a non-threatening atmosphere,” the Assistant Secretary general continued. “The OAS mission will continue to pay particular attention to security throughout this process.”
On this latest visit, the OAS mission signed the Agreements of Privileges and Immunities with the Government of Guyana and an Agreement on the Electoral Observation Process with the Guyana Elections Commission, respectively, for long- and short-term OAS missions to monitor the Guyana elections.
Ramdin thanked the governments of Brazil, Canada and the United States for their “valuable contributions.” He thanked Guyana’s government, political parties and citizens for their confidence and trust in the OAS.
Thanking the OAS, Guyana’s Permanent Representative Ambassador Bayney Karran meanwhile reiterated his government’s assurances it is addressing the security concerns expressed and is doing everything it can to ensure the elections are held as soon as possible. He said the relevant constitutional provisions are being applied in the circumstances.
