An observers group led by Tonga’s former Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mrs Fekitamoeloa ‘Utoikamanu, are in Georgetown, Guyana to observe the country’s regional elections set for 1 September.

The 11-person team was deployed by the Commonwealth Secretary-General to observe polling process following an invitation from the Guyana Elections.

The group will observe the opening, voting, closing, counting, and results of management processes and issue an interim statement on their preliminary findings on 3 September.

Fekitamoeloa, as the chairperson of the Commonwealth Observer’s Group, said that this year marks 45 years of observing elections across Commonwealth member countries.

“The Commonwealth has a long standing commitment to strengthen electoral democracy” she said.

The observers group as part of its mandate will report on whether the elections have been conducted in accordance with the standards to which Guyana has committed itself to.

This includes its national law, regional and international commitments.

The group will meet with various stakeholders, including civil society representatives, political parties, the police, Guyana Elections Commissions, citizen observers and the media.

The group will depart Guyana on 7 September where they will submit their final report to the Commonwealth Secretary General.