An 11-member Commonwealth Observer Group has arrived in Guyana to monitor the upcoming General and Regional Elections scheduled for September 1, 2025. The mission follows an invitation from the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) and is being deployed by the Commonwealth Secretary-General to observe the entire electoral process.
The Observer Group is chaired by Fekitamoeloa Katoa ‘Utoikamanu, former Minister of Foreign Affairs of Tonga. In a statement issued in Georgetown, ‘Utoikamanu expressed hope that peace and unity will guide the elections.
“Today, my colleagues and I from the Commonwealth are here to observe and assess these elections to be able to report on the nature of the elections, and to offer recommendations that may serve to improve future election processes and institutions,” she said.
She underscored the Commonwealth’s longstanding commitment to strengthening democracy, noting that this year marks 45 years since the organisation began deploying observer groups across its member states. “Commonwealth electoral support has contributed to promoting credible, transparent, and inclusive elections throughout the Commonwealth family,” she added.
The Observer Group emphasised that its work in Guyana will be guided by neutrality, impartiality, objectivity, and independence. Its mandate includes assessing whether the polls are conducted in line with Guyana’s national laws as well as regional and international commitments.
In the coming days, the delegation will meet with civil society representatives, political parties, the police, GECOM, citizen observer groups, and the media. From August 30, members will be deployed across the country in small teams to observe voting, counting, and the management of results.
On election day, September 1, the group will observe all stages of the process, including the opening of polling stations, voting, closing, and counting. An interim statement outlining preliminary findings will be released on September 3.
The team is expected to depart Guyana on September 7, after preparing a draft final report for submission to the Commonwealth Secretary-General. The completed report will later be shared with GECOM, political parties, and other stakeholders.
