United States Ambassador to Guyana, Nicole Theriot, has confirmed that Washington will support the Guyana Police Force (GPF) in preparation for the upcoming general and regional elections scheduled for September 1.
Speaking to reporters on Wednesday, Theriot said the assistance follows a formal request from local authorities.
“We’re happy to provide it,” she stated. “We’re playing a role and coordinating amongst all of the missions as well as the Private Sector Commission (PSC) and other observation missions,” she added. “We’re trying to ensure that we are all working together so that we’re not redundant and, hopefully, every polling station in the country has international observers.”
The ambassador noted that the U.S. is bringing its expertise to help ensure a peaceful electoral process.
“We have a lot of expertise in holding contentious but peaceful elections,” Theriot said.
She announced that the U.S. government will fund two-thirds of the Organisation of American States’ (OAS) election observation mission and will also work closely with the Carter Center.
“We’re very, very pleased to have that incredible institution here and to be able to support them,” she added.
Other diplomatic missions — including those from the United Kingdom, European Union, and Canada — are also backing these election-related efforts.
Nomination Day is set for July 14, and voters will choose among several parties, including the ruling People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C), the opposition A Partnership for National Unity (APNU), the Alliance for Change (AFC), and the new coalition of We Invest in Nationhood (WIN) and A New and United Guyana (ANUG).
Theriot said the U.S. Embassy will deploy 50 observers across the country. She acknowledged concerns raised by opposition figures about the voters list.
“I have heard those concerns from different leaders of the opposition and the average Guyanese person when I speak has concerns about that,” she said.
However, the ambassador expressed confidence in the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM).
“We meet regular with GECOM, the chief executive officer, the commissioners, the chairwoman and, as they described the process, we feel that there will be a free, fair and transparent election,” she said.
