UK, UNDP Support Guyana’s Election Readiness Amid Criticism from AFC Over GECOM’s Inaction
By Antonio Dey | HGP Nightly News
GEORGETOWN, GUYANA—With general and regional elections constitutionally due this year, the United Kingdom and the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) have stepped in to bolster the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) ‘s technical and administrative capacity. Through the Electoral Support Project, funded by the UK and executed by UNDP, GECOM is expected to receive international expertise and guidance aimed at ensuring free, fair, and transparent elections in 2025.
The £750,000 initiative, which will run through March 2026, is designed to support both the immediate needs of this year’s electoral cycle and the long-term strengthening of GECOM’s institutional frameworks. In a statement, the UNDP emphasized the importance of international cooperation in aligning Guyana’s electoral systems with global best practices while remaining sensitive to Guyana’s political and cultural landscape.
Criticism from the AFC: “Unacceptable and Atrocious”
Despite this support injection, Catherine Hughes, opposition parliamentarian and the Alliance for Change (AFC) executive member voiced intense criticism over GECOM’s failure to implement past electoral reform recommendations.
Hughes highlighted that of the 26 recommendations made by international observer groups such as the Carter Center and the European Union, only two have been acted upon.
“These fundamental recommendations were well articulated and intended to prevent a repeat of the challenges and errors from the 2020 elections debacle,” Hughes stated, calling the situation “unacceptable and atrocious.”
She lamented that despite raising numerous electoral concerns, the AFC had not received follow-up communication since a recent meeting with GECOM.
This election cycle comes after the controversial 2020 general elections, which were marred by delays, legal disputes, and international scrutiny. The current efforts by the UK and UNDP aim to ensure that the upcoming polls are credible, well-managed, and free from similar issues.
