Private sector wants Carter Center observers for polls

The Private Sector Commission (PSC) has written to US Secretary of State John Kerry requesting his assistance to have the Atlanta, Georgia-based Carter Center field a full observer mission for the May 11 general elections.

The Center has not fielded a mission here in recent elections after it largely disengaged from Guyana in 2004.

A release from the PSC yesterday said that the letter was written to Kerry after extensive consultation with stakeholders and analysis of recent political developments indicated that adequate observers are needed to ensure that the elections are free and fair and free from fear, and that the results are free from contention and accepted by all competing parties.

The PSC stated that it has full confidence in the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) to efficiently and effectively carry out its mandate but it is important for the confidence of all stakeholders to have the work of GECOM independently observed and their “outputs validated by respected third parties”.

In its letter to Kerry which was released to the media, the PSC said “The acceptance of the elections results and subsequently allowing the democratically elected Government to execute their mandate is of pivotal importance for us the citizens of this young and growing democratic country.

“In this regard, we are requesting your assistance to support the existing efforts of the authorities to have the Carter Center field a full observer mission for the May 11, 2015 General Elections”.