–report smooth, respectful casting of ballots

EMPHASISING a commitment to transparency and accuracy, Jason Carter, Head of the Carter Center’s 2025 General and Regional Elections Observer Mission here in Guyana, has stated that the goal is to ensure conclusions about the electoral process are based on verified evidence.
Speaking to reporters at a Georgetown, Kitty Polling Station on Monday, Carter shared that the mission, consisting of approximately 40 observers, aims to ensure decisions are based on evidence rather than rumours.

“We are drawing conclusions based on evidence, rather than rumours,” he said, highlighting that the Carter Center’s team has been fully deployed across all regions and tabulation centers to ensure comprehensive coverage of the electoral process.

“We’re not going to draw any conclusions, of course, until after the day is over and then after the tabulation process is complete,” Carter added.
A preliminary statement on the Center’s findings is expected to be released on Wednesday, 3 September, followed by a full report after the entire process is completed.
“We expect that today will be a smooth process and again, our goal is to observe the entire process and then make comments. But also, the key to this day is to make sure that everybody in the country is making decisions and conclusions based on evidence and not just rumours.”
The mission, he added, has had a positive relationship with the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) and is confident in the adherence to the legal framework and understanding of rules by all parties involved.

Meanwhile, the European Union’s Election Observer Mission here in Guyana has established a data hub in Georgetown, which allowed for information from observers who have been deployed across the country to be efficiently recorded.

This is according to Chief Observer of the European Union Election Observation Mission (EU EOM) to Guyana’s 2025 General and Regional Elections, Robert Biedroń, who spoke to reporters at a Queenstown, Georgetown, polling station.

“When collecting information, we are transmitting all of our findings to our statistical hub, a special hub which we established here in Georgetown, where we collect all the information …this will give us a very clear picture from the counting process from all the regions.”

The EUEOM has some 50 observers who have been deployed across the country. Some 14 observers had been deployed to hinterland regions back in July and began work engaging locals, political parties’ candidates, and other stakeholders.

Many of those observers would have also attended campaign meetings and rallies. A larger team from the mission was deployed last Friday.
He noted that the member observer team is well prepared to deliver a comprehensive assessment of the country’s electoral process, stressing that their job is not to intervene, but to observe.
“We provide impartial, factual reports, which are very valuable for this country; our presence aims to contribute to a better understanding of processes and, over time, somewhat its improvements.”

The mission is expected to provide a preliminary assessment by Wednesday, followed by a detailed report in two months’ time.
United States of America (US) Ambassador Nicole Theriot, United Kingdom (UK) High Commissioner Jane Miller, and European Union (EU) Ambassador Rene van Nes also observed yesterday’s polls.
The ABCEU diplomats also reported a smooth process at the polls.
Up until press time, there were no reports from the observers of any hiccups or incidents following the close of polls at 6:00 pm on Monday evening.