Guyana election update: OAS observer mission commences work

The Organization of American States (OAS) Electoral Observation Mission (EOM) in Guyana, commenced preparatory work Tuesday for the November 28 general elections.

Chief of Mission Professor Gordon Shirley arrived in the country on Monday.

The OAS said its EOM Guyana is conducting this observation mission following an invitation from the Government of Guyana.

“Leading up to election day Professor Shirley and members of the OAS/EOM team will be meeting and conducting interviews with the electoral authorities, political, governmental and international community representatives as well as with members of the media and of civil society in Guyana,” the OAS said in a statement.

“Also, later this week the OAS/EOM will deploy some 25 international electoral observers across Guyana in preparation for the election. These observer teams will also be in place throughout Election Day to observe the electoral process from the opening of the polls to the counting of results,” the statement added.

The OAS/EOM has noted with interest that both political parties and the media have each adopted and signed a Code of Conduct in view of ensuring that the electoral process unfolds in a fair and equitable manner, with respect and non-violence as cornerstones of a fair democratic process.

The OAS/EOM has urged all participants in the electoral process to adhere to these agreed to codes and conduct themselves according to the agreed to principles.