Guyana's peaceful election process.

• Author: Edwards, Ian
• Position: OAS - Brief article

IN GUYANA, THE VOTE that returned President Bharrat Jagdeo and his People's Progressive Party/Civic coalition to power last August 28 was conducted, as the OAS Electoral Observation Mission said in a preliminary report, "in a manner that does credit to all concerned."

Besides local Guyanese election observers, the international community played a critical monitoring role, supported by observation teams from the OAS, the Caribbean Community (CARICOM), the Commonwealth, and the Carter Center.

The OAS had been engaged in the pre-electoral process since early May, meeting with a broad spectrum of stakeholders in the process--from the main parties to the smaller political parties, civil society, religious organizations, the media, the Private Sector Commission, and the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM).

The immediate aftermath of calm was an opportunity for Guyana's citizens aim their political leaders, along with a host...