WASHINGTON, D.C -- The electoral and voting procedures of Guyana needs to be reviewed to ensure adequate checks and balances while further attention should be paid to the questions of residency and timely update of the 2006 voter’s list.
That’s the view of Assistant Secretary General of the Organization of American States, Albert R. Ramdin, who yesterday delivered the final report of the OAS Electoral Observation Mission to Guyana. The organization had monitored the South American country’s August 28th general and regional elections.Ramdin presented the report to Prime Minister and acting President, Samuel Hinds, during a seminar in Georgetown, telling participants there is the need to boost confidence in Guyana’s electoral institutions.“Constant, open and structured dialogue among stakeholders is necessary to build trust and to strengthen peace and stability” in Guyana, Ramdin said, while noting that further attention needs to be paid to the questions surrounding residency and timely update of the 2006 voter’s list.
He added that enhanced confidence in the Guyana Elections Commission “can be achieved through permanent education of and communication with people, political parties and other stakeholders in the role, purpose and functioning of the electoral commission.”
And suggested that GECOM be made a technically and financially well-equipped, independent, non-partisan electoral institution which can provide electoral service that will be respected, not disputed.
It should be able to provide professional guidance in situations of uncertainty, Ramdin said.
The OAS official further suggested that the Guyana government, the Parliament and political parties consider drawing from electoral best practices available in the Americas.
The seminar drew a wide range of participants, including government ministers and the GECOM chairman and commissioners, as well as representatives of political parties, civil society, the media, the diplomatic corps and international, regional and financial organizations.
