Harmon seeks full disclosure on US-backed electoral reform project

Saying that opposition supporters are concerned, Leader of the Opposition Joseph Harmon has written the International Republican Institute (IRI) to request a full briefing on the recently announced 18month electoral reform project that it is implementing here.

Harmon’s request to IRI Resident Programme Director Dorota Ryzy comes on the heels of the announcement of the project by the United States Embassy, which said that the U.S Department of State is supporting the project.

The Embassy had said the project is intended to strengthen the capacity of the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) and the Attorney General’s Chambers regarding electoral processes, and to encourage civil society organizations (CSOs) to advocate for electoral reform in accordance with regional and international standards. “Through this project, GECOM, the Attorney General’s Chambers, and Guyanese CSOs will collaboratively consolidate and improve local electoral and constitutional law knowledge, establish an internal timeline to address electoral reform, improve collaboration for joint advocacy actions, and prioritize electoral and constitutional law issues while promoting reform through citizen engagement,” it noted.

In his letter, dated May 7, 2021, Harmon said the APNU+AFC coalition represents close to 50% of the Guyanese electorate and the announcement has caused “considerable unease and anxiety” among them.

Harmon added that the coalition fully supports electoral reform in Guyana, but is of the view that it has to be done in full consultation with the opposition.

“We are not optimistic that this will be the approach of the PPP/C Administration however, since President Ali has indicated that he will not be consulting with the APNU/AFC unless the Opposition acknowledges his Administration as legitimate,” he explained.

It is against this background that he requested that coalition be fully briefed on the Terms of Reference for the project and the mechanisms for consultations with the opposition. He also requested to meet with the IRI at the earliest opportunity to receive the brief.