Observer groups must testify to the fairness of the polls as early as possible, at this upcoming General and Regional Elections. What was disappointing, however, in the 1997 General and Regional Elections, was the lengthy delay in the production of the report of the Electoral Assistance Bureau ( EAB), the only authentic Guyanese group, which not only monitored some 700 polling stations, but also had produced a ‘quick count’ which showed that the results was correct.
An early report based on credible count samples can help to counter charges that the elections were rigged. It is ironic that the head of all observer groups must make sure that the elections are free, fair and transparent with no absence of a report and no minor irritation which can cause street protests. As a background, the institutions and arrangements for the elections are now set for November 28, 2011.The Elections Commission is multi-party with party between government and opposition. All major issues before the Commission are cleared at the moment  by the Inter-Party Committee on Electoral Reforms on which all the contesting parties were represented. The new democratic environment in Guyana has encouraged a proliferation of political parties, most of which have formed alliances.
At one time it seemed that some 30 parties would enter the election; Nomination Day will see the fielded candidates of each political party. It can be said that with free and fair elections, history would be recorded once again. Victory will be due to many factors, including genuine impact on the voters’ minds and loyalists for each party and their manifestos.  At the moment, there is an impressive, multi-ethnic, multi-class slate of candidates and robust campaigns are on the way. Never was there so much enthusiasm and such great crowds at political meetings and rallies throughout our country. The election campaign is the best ever for sheer colour and creativity, spontaneously displayed on the internet and street corners.
The campaign is very aggressive, targeting the young people, many of whom would be voting for the first time.