Georgetown: “Guyana should consider reforms that would reduce the politicised composition of GECOM and move toward an election management body with a structure, composition, and operations that are more consistent with international good practice and obligations, ensuring the independence and impartiality of the election management body,” the Carter Center said in its Preliminary Statement on Guyana’s Elections that was released yesterday.
A review of the current composition of the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM), among other major reforms in the electoral process, has been recommended by the Carter Center to the current A Partnership for National Unity and Alliance For Change (APNU+AFC) Administration.
Besides the Chairman, Dr Steve Surujbally, the Commission’s leadership currently comprises six Commissioners. Three were nominated by the APNU+AFC coalition, and the other three by the PPP/C.
According to the Carter Center, the Government should consider establishing a formal process for the registration and regulation of political parties to ensure greater transparency and integrity.
The latter could also be bolstered by the introduction of campaign financing legislation, in order to ensure transparency in the sources of funding to contesting political parties.
The Center said, “Guyana should consider establishing and enforcing realistic limits on campaign expenditures to help promote equity, and avoid inequalities in access to resources, which undermine the democratic process.
“…reforms such as requiring disclosure of sources, not just in the context of elections; establishing party finance regulations with clear, rigorous, and enforceable regulations for reporting; requiring electoral contestants to make reports on their campaign expenditures publicly available, with strong penalties for those who do not comply with regulations (should be considered).” GECOM’s system of boundary delimitation was also called into question by the Carter Center, which contends that as a result of the status quo, the distribution of electors per regional seat in the general elections is unequal.
The Center said, “All districts deviate from the average of person-per-seat by more than 15 per cent, a maximum advised by international best practice. The Carter Center recommends that the parliament amend legislation to address inequalities in geographical constituencies to ensure greater respect for the obligation of equal suffrage. In any case, the apportionment of the seats to the regions should be based on the latest available population statistics.” The group also called on the Government to consider consolidating the existing electoral laws. “At present, the laws are established across a plethora of legal instruments, would enhance both the clarity and the certainty of the legal rules. In addition, the laws of Guyana, including those that pertain to elections, should be made more readily available and easily accessible to citizens,” the Center said, adding: “Consideration should be given to electoral reform efforts that would ensure candidate placement on party lists is fixed, increasing the links between citizens and elected officials and strengthening Guyana’s democratic foundations. Consideration should also be given to ensuring that party lists are “zippered” so that women and men are listed alternately on the list.”
The rights of independent candidates were also recognised by the Center, which called for amendments to Article 156 of the Constitution, which gives political parties the power to remove a member of the National Assembly if they no longer support the party, which limits the freedom of association
“Guyana should reconsider the barring of independent candidates from standing for office, as it undermines international commitments on the freedom of association and the right to stand for elections,” the group said.
The APNU+AFC administration was also called on to consider ensuring that political party agents and domestic observers are able to play their critical roles in increasing the transparency of the electoral process without sacrificing their right to vote when they are stationed at polls where they are not on the voters’ list. “Reform should focus on allowing agents to vote in the polling stations where they are deployed,” the Center said.
The timely signing of a Code of Conduct for political parties was also highlighted by the Carter Center as an area that needs to be revisited.
The Code was circulated to political parties for recommendations to inform the finalisation of the document. It is a guide to expected behaviours in the lead-up to the May 11 General and Regional Elections. However, unlike in previous years, the Code was signed two weeks before Election Day – limiting its role during the majority of the campaign period.
“In future elections, the Code of Conduct for Political Parties should be signed much earlier in the process, and it should include a clear and strong enforcement mechanism,” the Center said.
Additionally, a general call was made to all political parties, with emphasis on cooperation.
The Carter Center said, “Guyana must move beyond divisive politics, and its parties must find a way to work together constructively for the good of the country. While the political system enables a vigilant and energetic Opposition, there must be a level of strategic cooperation to ensure that the state can perform its basic functions and regular local government elections can be held. The institutions of the state should not be held hostage to continuing cycles of inter-party conflict.”
On that note, the group called for political parties to reevaluate their structure to ensure that they are well positioned to play their role in representing their supporters in government.
“Political party leaders appear out of touch with many Guyanese, limiting the effectiveness of the political elite in representing Guyana’s citizenry. All parties should strengthen their internal democracy and make their operating procedures more transparent,” the Center said.
General and Regional Elections were held on May 11, and the results of the polls were officially declared on May 16. APNU+AFC scored a close victory in the General and Regional Elections with 207,200 votes, while the PPP/C secured the support of 202,694 Guyanese who cast their votes in favour of the party.
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