Chief Observer of the European Union Election Observation Mission, Robert Biedroń, has urged Guyana to pursue further electoral reforms to address weaknesses in the legal framework that leave space for uncertainty in the process.
At a press conference held on Wednesday at the Pegasus Corporate Suites, Biedroń presented the mission’s preliminary findings following the September 1 General and Regional Elections.
The EU team, which has been present in Guyana since July 23, deployed 50 observers to 253 polling stations across the country.
The mission noted that while the elections were conducted in a “peaceful and orderly” manner, deeper reforms are needed to strengthen confidence in the system.
“The legal framework provides a solid basis for conducting elections but gaps remain, especially in areas of accountability.
“While legal amendments were introduced in 2022, further reform is needed to reduce political influence of key institutions and to strengthen citizens’ confidence in the electoral process,” Biedroń said.
Biedroń acknowledged that the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) managed the polls efficiently, with polling staff performing their duties professionally and voters turning out passionately. However, he cautioned that GECOM’s decision-making remains heavily influenced by political polarization, which continues to erode public trust.
In addition, Biedroń highlighted shortcomings in GECOM’s communication, which it described as “inconsistent at times,” creating space for misinformation to circulate. Limited direct engagement with the public and media, coupled with the absence of recent and reliable population data, fueled perceptions of potential voter list manipulation.
The final voters list contained 757,690 registered voters, including citizens residing abroad and Commonwealth nationals living in Guyana. According to Biedroń, while candidate registration was described as “inclusive and timely” and the campaign was deemed “peaceful and competitive”, the observation mission noted unequal conditions on the playing field due to the politicized media environment and the use of public projects during campaign activities.
According to Biedroń, on election day, measures such as restrictions on mobile phones at polling stations were implemented to safeguard integrity. However, observers reported that 59 percent of polling stations lacked independent access for persons with disabilities.
Despite these challenges, Biedroń commended citizens for their active participation.
“Citizens participated with passion and determination, demonstrating that democracy is not just about the law but shared responsibility,” he said.
The mission stressed that while the 2025 elections were “inclusive, peaceful, and offered” citizens meaningful choices, challenges remain.
Addressing political polarization, strengthening transparency, and reforming the legal framework will be critical to reinforcing electoral integrity, Biedroń he concluded.
The European Union Election Observation Mission will remain in Guyana to observe the final stages of the process, including the tabulation of results. A comprehensive final report with recommendations will be issued in the coming weeks.
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