Head of the Commonwealth Observer Group Denis Marshall said that the fact that Guyana has invited observers to monitor elections ensures scrutiny of electoral standards that the country has set for itself.
Marshall was speaking at a press conference held at the Cara Lodge, in Quamina Street and hosted by the observer mission. Election day is Monday.
“The fact that we are an invited group here tends to open the doors and enable us to retain all the information, all the access we wish. If someone takes a different view, then that is entirely up to them,” he said, when asked about possible reactions from political parties to the group.
He noted that every country is a sovereign state and “we respect that.” He said too that the Commonwealth Observer Group does not have a mandate to impose things on anybody. “But the fact that we were invited here and have continuously been invited here over a period, I think, speaks for itself of the fact that the Commonwealth is closely involved with Guyana not only in relation to observer missions but in other work as well, [and] indicates that there is a will to listen and take on board recommendations. But, of course, it is up to the people of Guyana as to what recommendations they adopt,” he said.
Asked how the group will ensure that there is a level playing field for all stakeholders in the elections, Marshall said that the group does not have the powers to compel anybody to do anything. “I think the fact that we are here in an observer capacity assists. But clearly we do not have any powers at all to intervene, interfere or anything else. We will make a report at the end and it is up to the country to consider that report and take what actions it wishes to do from it,” he said.
“But there is no doubt in my mind from previous experience, that the fact that you have invited us here and other observer missions here does indeed put the spotlight on the elections and puts some imposition on the persons carrying out the elections to ensure things are done properly,” he said.
Asked whether the Commonwealth will feel pressured with regards to how it conducts activities with government in light of the government inviting the mission here, Marshall said the Commonwealth would not be “beholden to the government at all in terms of the recommendations. Our views are independent, impartial and objective and we will not be under any pressure at all to make any particular comment or reach any conclusion.”
Credibility
Commonwealth Secretary General Kamalesh Sharma constituted an observer group for the 2011 national and regional elections, following an invitation from the Government of Guyana. Marshall called it an honour and privilege to have been asked to lead this group and to be here in the country for these “important” elections.
He said that the Commonwealth has a long tradition of support for elections in Guyana, including observing its national polls since 1992. “We are pleased to be in the country to contribute to the further consolidation of its democracy,” he said.
Marshall noted that democracy and good governance are key Commonwealth principles “which our Observer Group is constituted to promote and uphold.” He noted that these elections are important for the people of Guyana “and it is therefore imperative that the electoral process is transparent, fair, credible and free of violence.”
He said that the Group’s task is to consider all the factors affecting the credibility of the elections process as a whole, and to assess whether the elections have been conducted according to the standards for democratic elections “to which Guyana has committed itself, with reference to its own election-related legislation as well as relevant regional, Commonwealth and international commitments.”
Said Marshall, “We will consider, among other things, whether conditions exist for free and competitive elections; the voter register provides for universal suffrage; there is a level playing field in the campaign; state apparatus and public media are impartial; freedom of expression is provided for and the media meet its responsibilities for honest and balanced reporting; voters are free to express their will; and the results process is transparent and timely.
“In conducting our duties and undertaking our assessment, we will be impartial, objective and independent. We are here in our individual capacities as eminent Commonwealth citizens. The assessment of the Group will be its own, and not that of any member Government. We will be constructive in our remarks, with the intent to help further strengthen the democratic process of the country.”
He noted that the Group has been drawn from across the Commonwealth and includes politicians, members of elections commissions, and representatives of civil society and the media.
“In the pre-election period, we will meet a wide range of stakeholders, including GECOM, representatives of political parties, civil society and media, as well as High Commissions and representatives of other national and international observer groups,” Marshall stated.
He said that prior to Election Day, Commonwealth teams will be deployed to a variety of locations around the country to observe the voting, counting and results process. “Our teams will coordinate with other observers in the field in order to maximize our overview of the process. We will issue an interim statement after the election and a final report at a later stage,” said Marshall.
“For Guyana, the conduct of credible elections, building on the improvements reported in 2006, is vital and I am hopeful that this will be the case. We call on all political parties and stakeholders to play their roles responsibly and adopt a constructive approach to the entire electoral process in order to ensure a peaceful poll,” he said.
He said that the group met with the Guyana Elections Commission on Tuesday and between now and Election Day “we will meet as many people as we can. We will undoubtedly hear comments and inputs from the parties and NGOs and from other folks who have issues that they want to put forward and raise.”
He said that the group is very open. “We certainly want to be in contact with all parties and all those who have an interest in the process,” he noted. He said that the group will look to see what has happened in the last election and use it as a measuring stick to compare how Monday’s polls are conducted. “It is too soon to assess what the situation is presently, but we will certainly look at what has occurred during this campaign,” he said.
Marshall said too that two of the members of the observer group did not make the trip to Guyana because of not being able to get their transit visas on time. This cuts down the team to 11 persons and it is hoped that the Commonwealth can at least field an observer in every region. “Within our ability we will try and ensure that there is the best possible coverage of the entire elections. But you know we are short of resources,” he said.
