CARICOM Observers dub elections as “pretty competitive”

By Jomo Paul 

[www.inewsguyana.com] – Chief of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) Elections Observer Mission, Earl Simpson says the 2015 General and Regional Elections in Guyana is “pretty competitive.”

Simpson made the comment at a press conference on Friday May 07 at the CARICOM Secretariat where the team outlined its plans for the observation of elections.

Elections are due on May 11 with six Parties contesting the General polls and seven contesting the regional elections.

According to Simpson, the team has been keeping abreast with development in the political scene via media reports.

When asked by iNews how he views those developments, Simpson responded that from what he has seen thus far “it is going to be a pretty competitive elections.”

Simpson indicated that the Observer team intends to visit as many polling stations as possible on May 11 so that they will get the broadest sampling for the preparation of its report.

He said that the group intends to “collaborate with other groups to ensure that we maximise our progress ….We are here to observe the process and form an impartial view on its credibility.”

He indicated too that thus far, they have held meetings with several stakeholders and while a series of other meetings are planned in the run up to elections with other groups.

When asked about the recommendations made at the last General Elections – 2011 – and whether those have been implement, the Chief Officer pointed out that the recommendations are just recommendations and it is the onus on the government and the Guyana Elections Commission to implement such.