GCCI and International IDEA discuss electoral integrity
The International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance (International IDEA)—an intergovernmental organisation that supports democracy worldwide through supporting the building, strengthening and safeguarding of democratic political institutions and processes at all levels—met with the Georgetown Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GCCI) on April 2 to discuss plans for elections awareness and voter education with the broader objective of supporting electoral integrity as Guyana approaches the 2025 General and Regional Elections.
Resource Mobilisation and Partnerships Advisor, Mr. Luis Jose Consuegra; Programme Manager, Mr. Marcelo Varela, and Programme Assistant, Mr. Junior Chanderpaul met with President of the GCCI, Mrs. Kathy Smith and Secretary, Mrs. Kristia Ramlagan-Prescott.
Discussions revolved around International IDEA’s plans for engaging in voter education, a project which is being funded by the European Union’s Delegation to Guyana. The International IDEA team provided an outline of its scope which includes civil society capacity building, voter education and tackling misinformation. It was also indicated that they will be collaborating with the Guyana Elections Commission to gather official information via the Commission’s manuals and handbooks.
President Smith, during the discussions, noted that the GCCI has over the years been an active elections Observer, with members travelling across the country on election day in fulfilment of this role. She emphasised the Chamber’s position on the need for a democratic process that respects the rule of law. “We want to ensure our election this year is free, fair and transparent. We don’t want what happened in 2020 to happen again as it will stymie and impede business,” she firmly stated, later adding, “Business must continue, and it must continue smoothly.”
She shared that the GCCI is in the process of meeting with political parties to discuss their economic strategies for Guyana and their plans for elections, noting that a similar engagement is being sought with GECOM.
