A TEAM comprising 68 members representing the Georgetown-based United States Embassy will be deployed as Election Day observers across Guyana, except for Region 2 (Pomeroon/ Supenaam), according to its Head of Mission, Bryan Hunt.The Embassy’s Chargé d’Affaires on Wednesday evening was featured on ‘News in Conversation’, aired on the National Communications Network (NCN), and noted that the United States local representatives will be in collaboration with other local and international election observers.
“By the end of this we should have a fairly good view on the electoral process,” Hunt said.
Guyana, he said, is unique when it comes to the role of electoral observers, in that there is a desire to have 100 per cent coverage of all its Polling Stations, a desire endorsed by political parties as well as the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM).
“We are trying to meet the expectation to build confidence in the electoral process,” he said, adding that the Commission itself has proven itself credible.
“The observers are committed to supporting (Guyana) with large groups until so required, for credibility sake,” Hunt said.

GECOM LAUDED
On the question of GECOM’s efforts, the US Head of Mission lauded the Commission’s operations to date. “GECOM does as good a job as anywhere else in the world,” he said.
Hunt noted that, internationally, the Commission is seen as a body that produced credible elections, largely in part to its logistical planning.
BACKUP PLAN
The Embassy’s Chargé d’Affaires expressed confidence in the Commission’s current work plan, highlighting that there is a “backup to that plan and a backup for the backup.”
“Everything will proceed smoothly I feel,” he said.
On that note, Hunt made it clear that it is the responsibility of the leadership of political parties to ensure that they raise their concerns, in an effort to ensure the process is smooth, but noted too their responsibility to have supporting evidence.
He said, “Asking questions is not irresponsible. But when allegations are thrown out without facts to back them up, that is where the irresponsibility is…it is fine to say we are concerned about an area, but you need to sit down if you feel it is the problem and produce the evidence.”
The US official acknowledged the fact that GECOM engages regularly with political parties and other stakeholders in the electoral process.
In addition to the United States Embassy, there are nine other local Observer groups that have indicated their intention to be part of the May 11 General and Regional elections.