By Telesha Ramnarine

THE diplomatic community on Monday jointly lauded the recently concluded Local Government Elections, saying it was one that met international standards and served to bolster the country’s democratic credentials.The British High Commissioner, the United States Ambassador, and the Canadian High Commissioner hosted a news conference at the latter’s office at Young and High Streets in the City, and agreed that the elections were free and fair, credible and transparent.

Greg Quinn, British High Commissioner to Guyana and non-resident Ambassador to Suriname, observed: “We are seeing a series of elections here which are meeting international standards, and I think that is reinforcing the perception of a country…reinforcing its democratic credentials.”

The other officials at the head table were United States Ambassador to Guyana, Perry Holloway, and Canadian High Commissioner Pierre Giroux.

Commissioner Holloway observed that the elections were as peaceful as the national elections, and this holds well for the future for Guyanese.

Although the diplomatic community is on hand to provide assistance, and even to point out problems to central government, Holloway said, their intention is never to impose solutions on the government, unless they are asked for help.

“We’ve always worked on democracy and government projects. If they ask for technical assistance or training, we will try to provide it, if it makes sense to us,” he said.

The US Embassy had observer teams consisting of some 70 members spread throughout nine regions on Elections Day. We also had observers in the field on disciplined forces voting day. Our observers monitored the entirety of the elections process that has occurred to date. As of this moment, we have witnessed an orderly process, in conformity with Guyanese law.

“Our observers witnessed nothing that would call into question the integrity or accuracy of these local government elections, and our considered opinion is that the process to date has met the international standards for free, fair, and credible elections,” the US Ambassador said.

Holloway said congratulations were also in order for the Guyana Elections Commission, particularly its Chairman Dr. Steve Surujbally, its Chief Elections Officer Keith Lowenfield, and all those who worked the polls on Election Day.

“We also extend congratulations to all those who contested or participated in these polls, and we look forward to working closely with the men and women who will comprise Guyana’s new local governments.”

However, he noted that a higher turnout had been expected. “It is completely understandable that in the absence of local elections for more than 22 years, there would be some anxiety, apprehension, and uncertainty among some voters on what these elections were all about. For nearly a generation, all that people looked for were familiar party symbols; and now citizens were asked to look beyond that and learn what individual candidates and new groups stood for. This is a process that will take time.

“As Guyana is set to celebrate its 50th anniversary of Independence in May, Friday’s election serves as a starting point for the next 50 years, which I am confident will be marked with local government elections every three years, as required by Guyanese law.

“Friday, when the polls closed, signified the end of one election cycle and the beginning of another. In 2019, voters, candidates and the general population will build on this experience and increase voter turnout. In the interim, citizens will now hold local government officials accountable for their performance in their respective offices. If they do not perform, the people will speak again and new representatives will be elected,” Holloway stressed.

He said the political parties, GECOM, the media, the private sector, civil society, and others must continue to educate voters on the process of local government elections.

“We, as international observers, are not interested in who wins or loses. Our focus is, and always has been, on the process by which people are elected; a process that we hope will continue to be enhanced both through new legislation that addresses long-standing concerns on campaign finance, equal access to media, and use of state resources, and through the introduction of electronic registration, voting and tabulation,” he said.