GEORGETOWN, Guyana – The 10-member Caribbean Community (CARICOM) Election Observation Mission (CEOM) Tuesday said it was generally satisfied with the conduct of the general and regional elections held in Guyana on Monday.
“it is our view that the will of the people of Guyana be accepted and respected. This interim statement provides an initial assessment based on the observation of our team,” said the head of the mission, Josephine Tamai, who is also the Chief Elections Officer of the Elections and Boundaries Department of Belize
She said voters were able to exercise their franchise “in a peaceful and orderly manner “without significant incident.
“The team observed no sign of intimidation, harassment or complaining intended to influence or obstruct the democratic process,” she told a news conference, adding that a final report will be submitted to the CARICOM Secretary General, Dr. Carla Barnett “in the coming weeks outlining our full findings and recommendations”.
Among the recommendations is likely to be the composition of the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) to include independent members.
“The lack of a clear framework for campaign financing revelations was also a concern. Stakeholders noted the need for…necessary framework be established to ensure a level playing field,” she said.
“CARICOM reaffirms its commitment to continue supporting Guyana on its democratic journey and in pursuit of a peaceful unified and prosperous future for all Guyanese.”
The CARICOM team was among several national, regional and international observer groups monitoring the polls, including the Commonwealth, the US-based Carter Center and one from the Organization of American States (OAS).
The Bar Association of Guyana in a statement said that its team had observed preparation, opening of polls, voting, close of polls and counting at over 500 polling stations at over 105 polling places in Essequibo, Demerara and Berbice on Monday.
“While the process, including our observation status, is not yet complete since results have not yet been declared, the preliminary reports received at the current time from our Observation Team are that the voting process on Election Day was generally peaceful and that General and Regional Elections were observed to be free, fair and transparent,” the lawyers group said.
Like the CARICOM team, the Bar Association also extended its appreciation to the staff of the GECOM “who discharged their duties on election day with professionalism and competence, under sometimes challenging conditions, to ensure free and fair elections throughout Guyana.
“As GECOM commences the process leading to the declaration of results, we urge patience in permitting GECOM to complete its work to deliver accurate results. We would like to remind members of the public that GECOM is the only body with the lawful authority to declare the results of the General and Regional Elections held on 1st September, 2025.
“We urge continued peace and patience while the process works its way to the declaration of results,” the Bar Association added.
Six parties – the ruling People’s Progressive Party Civic (PPP/C), the coalition A Partnership for National Unity (APNU), We Invest in Nationhood (WIN), Alliance For Chang (AFC), Forward Guyana Movement and Assembly for Liberty and Prosperity – contested the elections.
Six candidates contested the position of President during the elections. They are the incumbent, President Ali, Opposition Leader Aubrey Norton, attorney Nigel Hughes of the AFC, Azruddin Mohamed of WIN, Amanza Walton-Desir of the Forward Guyana Movement and the leader of the Assembly for Liberty & Prosperity (ALP) movement, Dr. Simona Broomes.
GECOM said that there were 2,790 polling stations countrywide and that it expects the results of the general elections will be made public on Thursday.
