431-00250 (Foreign affairs)

Canada strongly regrets the extended delay in declaring election results in Guyana, a delay that has now lasted more than four months since elections were held on March 2, 2020. The Government of Canada is committed to supporting free and fair elections in Guyana and has taken a leadership role in providing financial and technical support to promote a free and fair election, and has worked closely with partners in the region to advocate for its credible and transparent conclusion.

In the lead up to Guyana’s general election on March 2,2020, the Government of Canada facilitated expert advice and support to the Chair of the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) through the provision of technical assistance from former Canadian Chief Elections Officer, Jean Pierre Kingsley. Canada has sought to ensure free and fair elections by providing financial support to the Carter Centre to oversee and monitor the elections. To ensure independent monitoring of the mandated recount recounting of ballots, Canada funded a high-level Caribbean Community (CARICOM) team to observe Guyana’s 33-day recount. This resulted in the CARICOM team’s June 16, 2020 report to GECOM and CARICOM Heads of State confirming that the results of the recount are valid and should be used to declare the winner of the national elections. Canada supports calls by the Organization of American States, CARICOM, the Commonwealth, the Caribbean Court of Justice and civil society organizations to announce the results based on the national recount, as validated by the CARICOM observer mission.

Canada has also worked in close cooperation with other members of the international community to advocate for the transparent and credible conclusion of the electoral process. Through Canada’s High Commission to Guyana, Canada has issued a number of joint statements with the United States, United Kingdom and the European Union, pressing for a transparent process and a credible outcome. Seven joint statements have been released since the March 2, 2020 elections, including on June 23, 2020; June 5, 2020; May 6, 2020; March 13, 2020; March 11 2020; March 6, 2020; and March 5, 2020. Canada also issued a statement on July, 15, 2020, calling for a swift and transparent conclusion to the Guyanese election process.

The Government of Canada remains engaged and committed to collaborating with international community to ensure that electoral results are transparent, credible and respect the will of Guyanese people.