AS Guyana moves on after what is probably the most closely-monitored elections in recent times, outgoing Commonwealth Secretary-General Kamalesh Sharma expressed optimism over the country’s electoral process, noting “consistent and visible improvements.”Commonwealth Observer Groups, empowered by the Commonwealth Secretariat with invitations from the respective Governments, have long maintained close relations with electoral agencies throughout the realm of its 53 member countries.
“We have cooperated for a very long period of time with the Guyana Electoral Commission, so that the best international standards can be adopted by them, depending upon what their role [and] decisions are in respect of strengthening their engagement and service to the country,” Sharma told this publication yesterday in an exclusive interview.
He cited the recommendations made to the Guyana Elections Commission [GECOM] by the observer group following Guyana’s May 11 polls. This engagement, Sharma said, is a continuing one as it aids in improving the services of electoral agencies in countries throughout the realm.
The Commonwealth Observer Group arrived in Guyana on May 5 and was chaired by Kate Wilkinson. On May 14, three days after the polls closed, the Group outlined its recommendations at a press conference.
The body expressed concerns about “the margin of increase in the Voters’ Register since the last national and regional elections in 2011.” That increase of some 80,000 voters, according to GECOM’s Commissioner Dr. Steve Surujbally was due to a possible increase in outreaches, frequent registration exercises, registrants coming of age since 2011 and wider civic and voter education.
The observer mission last May lauded the effectiveness of polling day officials who were “adequately trained to undertake their duties on elections day, and were sufficiently familiar with their responsibilities.”
INFLAMMATORY RHETORIC
The elections observer group also noted concerns and expressed disappointment at “the inflammatory rhetoric and personal attacks by elements of political leadership during campaign period.” The group also noted such rhetoric which “violated the voluntary code of conduct agreed by political parties, which is aimed at guarding against malicious and confrontational campaigning.”
On Polling Day, the Mission was keen to note the isolated incidents of violations of unrest at some polling stations while acknowledging “the smooth transmission of Statements of Polls to Returning Officers and the Chief Elections Officers” as being vital to the electoral process.
The Commonwealth Observer Group left Guyana on May 17, and according to the body’s statement, the official report was presented to the Commonwealth Secretary-General.
Mr. Sharma will soon demit office as Secretary-General, after serving in that capacity for seven years. His presence in Guyana at this time is not only a symbol of the Commonwealth’s support of Guyana, but a reminder of the emphasis placed on the development of smaller countries in the 53-member bloc.
The Secretary-General will meet with stakeholders today before his departure for Barbados for the July 2- 5 CARICOM Heads of Government meeting, which will also be attended by United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon.

By Derwayne Wills