The United States (US) Ambassador to Guyana, Nicole Theriot, said Wednesday that Washington would be supporting the Guyana Police Force (GPF) in strengthening its capacity for the September 1 general and regional elections.
Theriot told reporters that the North American country was responding to a “request” from the GPF and that “we’re happy to provide it”.
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She said that the United States has “a lot of expertise” in holding contentious but peaceful elections and that Washington would be funding two-thirds of the Organization of American States’ (OAS) election observation mission as well as working closely with the Carter Center.
“We’re very, very pleased to have that incredible institution here and to be able to support them,” she said, adding that the United Kingdom, European Union and Canadian Chiefs-of-Mission were also backing those efforts.
“We’re playing a role and coordinating amongst all of the missions as well as the Private Sector Commission (PSC) and other observation missions,” the US diplomat said, adding “We’re trying to ensure that we are all working together so that we’re not redundant and, hopefully, every polling station in the country has international observers.”
Nomination Day is July 14 and the voters will have to choose between the ruling People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C), the main opposition, A Partnership for National Unity (APNU), the Alliance for Change, as well as the newly formed coalition of We Invest in Nationhood (WIN) party and A New and United Guyana (ANUG) among others.
The US diplomat told reporters that the embassy would be fielding 50 observers, acknowledging being informed by the opposition of a bloated voters list that could lead to voter impersonation and multiple voting.
But she said that there has been an assurance from the Guyana Election Commission (GECOM) of conducting free and fair elections.
“I have heard those concerns from different leaders of the opposition and the average Guyanese person when I speak has concerns about that but I will tell you that we meet regular with GECOM, the chief executive officer, the commissioners, the chairwoman and, as they described the process, we feel that there will be a free, fair and transparent election,” she said. CMC
