The Alliance For Change (AFC) says it has raised concerns with representatives of the Carter Center over the state of electoral administration here, including the inactivity of the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) and what it described as unresolved deficiencies in the conduct of the 2025 General and Regional Elections.
According to a statement from the party, the concerns were raised during a recent meeting at which representatives of the Carter Center presented the AFC with a copy of its final report on the September 2025 elections.
The Carter Center delegation was led by Country Director Jason Calder and Brett Lacy, while the AFC team comprised Acting Leader David Patterson, Vice Chairman Michael Carrington and executive members Cathy Hughes, Nicola Trotman and Diana Rajcumar.
The AFC, which was part of the governing APNU+AFC coalition between 2015 and 2020, said discussions centred on the state of electoral administration, the need for electoral reform and measures aimed at strengthening democratic institutions ahead of future elections.
According to the party, the Carter Center provided an overview of its final report and outlined areas where Guyana’s electoral system could be strengthened.
The AFC said much of its contribution focused on GECOM and what it described as the urgent need for long-discussed reforms to be implemented.
The party contended that GECOM has not met since September 2025 and argued that Local Government Elections would not be possible unless the commission is fully constituted and functioning.
The AFC also maintained that several issues arising from the 2025 elections remain unresolved. Among them, it cited the absence of voting arrangements for Guyanese employed in the oil and gas sector, the provision of only two printed copies of the voters list to the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) and A Partnership for National Unity (APNU), and what it described as disorganisation in facilitating access to polling stations on Election Day.
The statement said discussions also addressed broader governance issues, including constitutional reform and campaign financing.
According to the AFC, both sides expressed concern over what they described as the diminished role of civil society organisations in public advocacy.
The AFC further claimed that opposition political parties continue to face limited access to state media and media organisations aligned with the PPP/C. The AFC did not win a parliamentary seat at last year’s general elections.
The party also said it raised concerns that the Carter Center’s report did not address allegations that data gathered during the government’s cash grant programme was used to contact voters.
The AFC reiterated its support for continued engagement with the Carter Center and for constitutional reform, while expressing appreciation for what it described as the organisation’s longstanding contribution to improving electoral processes in Guyana.
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