CHIEF Executive Officer (CEO) of The Carter Centre, Paige Alexander, recently discussed the US-based organisation’s continued engagement with Guyana, particularly regarding election monitoring efforts.

During a recent interview with six-time Emmy Award-winning television producer Arick Wierson, Alexander discussed Guyana’s next national elections scheduled for 2025.

The conversation explored whether The Carter Centre would once again play a crucial role in overseeing the country’s electoral process, as it has done in the past.

Alexander confirmed that The Carter Centre’s involvement in Guyana’s electoral process is likely to continue, provided they receive an official invitation from the country’s authorities.

“We go into countries when we are invited,” she explained. Because The Carter Centre had been invited previously to monitor Guyana’s elections, she expressed that she expects an invitation will be extended again.

The Carter Centre has long-standing ties with Guyana, having monitored multiple elections, including the contentious 2020 general and regional elections, where a five month-long standstill ensued after disputed results. Alexander herself was on the ground in June 2020 during the height of the election impasse in Guyana after observing elections in neighbouring Venezuela.

The CEO emphasised that The Carter Centre’s principal role in Guyana is to guarantee that elections are free, fair, and transparent. When asked how the centre might assist in navigating the challenges posed by Guyana’s political and economic landscape, Alexander clarified that The Carter Centre does not intervene in the broader political dynamics of the country. Instead, it focuses exclusively on election integrity.

“We don’t play as much of that role with those issues. We’re just wanting to make sure that there are free and fair elections. The integrity of the elections, the transparency is there… that will be our focus in 2025.”

She revealed that Guyana is of particular interest to The Carter Centre not only because of elections but also due to its burgeoning economic potential, fuelled by its natural resources, particularly its recent oil discoveries. Alexander remarked on the importance of ensuring that Guyana’s economic development benefits its citizens.

“We’ve had a long-standing connection with Guyana and have done multiple elections there in fact. For us, making sure that a country that has these natural resources is able to elevate its people, its prosperity, is incredibly important,” she emphasised.

Moreover, The Carter Centre CEO highlighted that the organisation’s presence in Guyana is not just about monitoring elections but also ensuring that democracy continues to thrive in a country experiencing rapid economic growth and transformation.

Founded in 1982, The Carter Centre seeks to prevent and resolve conflicts, enhance freedom and democracy, and improve health. The Carter Centre’s involvement in Guyana dates back to the 1990s, when former US President Jimmy Carter, the organisation’s founder, personally visited the country to mediate during a period of political upheaval.

The 39th US President visited Guyana again in May 2015 as part of the observer team of The Carter Centre to witness the country’s general election.

His grandson, Jason Carter, who now chairs the Centre’s Board of Trustees, was also in Guyana in 2020 during the election crisis, reinforcing the organisation’s deep commitment to the country.

In June 2024, President Dr Irfaan Ali met with representatives from The Carter Centre, who were in Guyana on a pre-election assessment mission, ahead of the 2025 polls.
During the meeting which was held at State House, President Ali reiterated his government’s commitment to the democratic process, the rule of law and the will of the people. He underscored his government’s dedication to transparency and accountability and thanked the centre for its continued co-operation in promoting free and fair elections.

During their visit, the Carter Centre team engaged with various stakeholders, including opposition members, private sector representatives, the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM), and civil society organisations.