The Private Sector Commission (PSC), after a thorough review of the 2025 General and Regional Elections, confirmed that the elections were conducted with integrity, calmness, and full transparency. According to the PSC, the final results announced by the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) accurately represent the choices of Guyanese voters.
PSC Chairman, Captain Gerald Gouveia (Jnr), said that this year’s mission was among the most significant and well-organized election observation efforts ever conducted by the private sector. The Commission deployed approximately 150 trained observers across Regions Two, Three, Four, Five, Six, Nine, and Ten. A fully staffed coordination center operated nonstop from August 29 to September 4, providing real-time national monitoring and logistics support.
Captain Gouveia emphasized that, with the involvement of PSC member companies and business-support groups across the country, the observer mission was the largest private-sector-led effort in Guyana’s electoral history.
The PSC reported that the September 1 elections met all standards of peacefulness, credibility, and transparency. Polling stations reportedly opened on time, with GECOM staff performing their duties professionally and without bias. Strong participation by party agents representing the PPP/C, APNU, and WIN ensured effective multiparty oversight throughout the process.
The Commission also praised the vote tallying and recount processes, calling them transparent and smoothly carried out. PSC observers provided continual oversight, ensuring every step strictly followed GECOM’s rules. In several instances, GECOM staff directly referenced their rulebooks to explain procedures to political representatives, boosting trust in the system.
Although the PSC concluded that the elections were well-managed, it pointed out several areas where improvements could strengthen future electoral processes. These include standardizing voting booth layouts, enhancing accessibility at polling stations, increasing public communication efforts by GECOM, and further upgrading the digital publication of Statements of Poll (SOPs).
The report also recommended broader national discussions on improving GECOM’s governance structure to reduce political deadlock and boost technical efficiency. Other suggestions include establishing a dedicated strategic communications department to provide timely, accurate information and updating the criteria for selecting polling sites to align with modern accessibility standards. Additionally, the PSC expressed support for discussions on campaign financing reforms and administrative improvements within GECOM.
In its closing remarks, the Commission stated that the 2025 elections showcased Guyana’s democratic strength and institutional resilience. It expressed gratitude to voters, GECOM, the Joint Services, political parties, observers, media personnel, and all stakeholders whose efforts helped ensure a smooth and credible electoral process.
The PSC also collaborated with international partners during the election by aligning methodologies, sharing ongoing observations, and reaffirming Guyana’s commitment to supporting global democratic principles. Additionally, the Commission held regular meetings with GECOM at both leadership and technical levels, as well as with the Joint Services and the Ministry of Home Affairs. However, it was unable to organize pre-election meetings with WIN, civil society organizations, religious leaders, or local authorities.
Overall, the PSC’s report highlights a successful election cycle while stressing the need for continuous improvements to strengthen future democratic elections in Guyana.