UNDP praises GECOM for delivering credible, peaceful 2025 elections

Guyana’s 2025 General and Regional Elections were among the most transparent, credible and professionally managed in the country’s modern history, the UN Development Programme (UNDP) has confirmed.

In a recent statement, the United Nations body said the September 1 polls were reported by local and international observer groups as calm and peaceful, with the tabulation process completed within days and accepted by all political parties.

The agency said its UK-funded support aimed to strengthen trust in democratic institutions through improved transparency, communication and operational capacity.

UNDP said its Electoral Support Project deployed a multidisciplinary team to provide strategic guidance and help GECOM address challenges throughout the process.

“On September 1, 2025, Guyanese citizens cast their ballots to elect new leaders. The elections, as reported by local and international observers, were calm and peaceful… the conduct of the election, despite its challenges, is attributed in large part by the professionalism and direction taken by the Guyana Elections Commission,” the team lead said, noting that “it is reassuring when your strategic advice is highly appreciated and implemented to unlock bottlenecks throughout the process.”

The agency said GECOM’s communications capacity was strengthened through a new Communications Strategy, Branding Manual and Crisis Communication Protocol. A Media Code of Conduct and Media Policy were introduced, and more than 100 journalists were trained on electoral rules and ethical reporting. UNDP also supported inclusive messaging across voter information campaigns and facilitated guidance for polling staff on assisting persons with disabilities.

UNDP said engagement with political parties, civil society, media and observers helped build trust in a polarised environment. Voter education activities were expanded nationwide with tools designed to counter misinformation. A Media Centre on election day provided real-time updates.

Operational support included assessments of 2,790 polling stations and training for 13,925 polling officials. Sensitive materials, including ballots and indelible ink, were procured and dispatched under strict oversight.

Technology also played a central role. UNDP said cybersecurity safeguards were added to GECOM’s Statement of Poll upload system, while an upgraded tabulation application was deployed at 20 counting centres.

“In the digital age, information technology is no longer just a tool—it is the backbone of credible, inclusive, and resilient elections,” the IT specialist said.

UNDP said the strengthened systems reinforced public confidence and reflected Guyana’s commitment to credible democratic governance.