The United States Government said that Guyana has the opportunity to lead the Caribbean in the holding of free and peaceful elections come May 11.
In a congratulatory message to Guyana on achieving 45 years as a Republic, US Secretary of State, John Kerry said: “On behalf of President Obama and the American people, I congratulate the people of the Cooperative Republic of Guyana as you celebrate 45 years of independence on February 23. “
Kerry said “Your nation will hold national elections this year. I am confident that it will serve as an example of the peaceful exercise of the right to vote. Your actions will strengthen the entire region’s commitment to democratic institutions.”
Kerry noted that Guyana participates positively in the region through the Caribbean Basin Security Initiative, the Caribbean Community, and the Union of South American Nations. “The United States stands with you as a partner and friend in the Inter-American System and in continuing to strengthen and revitalize the Organization of American States. We will continue to work together to achieve energy and environmental sustainability, as agreed upon during the recent Caribbean Energy Security Summit. I wish you all a joyful Mashramani and Guyanese Republic Day.”
Only recently Foreign Affairs Minister Carolyn Rodrigues-Birkett said that international observers are critical to the credibility of the upcoming election, noting that she is heartened that some of the top organisations have already indicated their willingness to work here. The Minister explained that international observation is very important for the up-coming election and noted that since 1992, “there have always been observer missions in Guyana, and 2015 will be no different.”
Minister Rodrigues-Birkett asserted this stance, indicating that President Donald Ramotar has already informed the Commonwealth, the Organisation of American States (OAS), Caribbean Community (Caricom), and the Union of South American Nations (UNASUR) that Guyana will be requesting their overseeing roles. She added that this message came from the very time Parliament was prorogued on November 14, 2014.
Touching on the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM), the Foreign Affairs Minister highlighted that the entity did the usual, that is, it requested the United Nations (UN) to come in and look at the systems, and to see if the country is prepared for the May 11 General and Regional Elections, as it is important to have the body give a vote of confidence to the systems in place.
According to Rodrigues-Birkett, the UN mission is important in assisting Guyana, as it moves towards Election Day. She stated that she is sure that the visiting members would have already conveyed their observations to GECOM, as they did meet with her in her capacity as Guyana’s Foreign Affairs Minister, President Ramotar, and other major players within the fraternity of the election framework.
It should be noted that the UN does not necessarily observe elections, as in the case of the Commonwealth or Caricom, but can do so “in circumstances when the General Assembly or the Security Council so approves.
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