Guyana election assistance

The National Democratic Institute (NDI) and the International Foundation for Electoral Systems (IFES) will be the primary implementing agencies for the project, which will include, inter alia, international observer teams, training of pollworkers, and the provision of election commodities. Prior to initiation of the project, IFES will, at its own expense, prepare a comprehensive pre-election analysis of the Government of Guyana"s (GOG) election process, along with recommendations for improvement. With this report as a basis, IFES will help the GOG to select/design election commodities, e.g., ballots, ballot boxes, voting booths, communication systems, and indelible ink. IFES will also provide training to election officials and poll workers. NDI will conduct 1-3 pre-election fact-finding missions, with delegates from several countries, including Canada, Great Britain, the United States, and the Caribbean. Each mission will issue a report on electoral laws, procedures, and the pre- election environment. NDI will also work with local nongovernmental organizations to develop an effective domestic monitoring capability and will consult with the Council of Freely Elected Heads of Government, a group chaired by former President Jimmy Carter, to determine its interest in observing and monitoring the Guyana elections. For the elections, NDI will organize a 30-40 member international delegation to poll watch in all regions of the country and deter possible misconduct and instill voter confidence. NDI will maintain a presence in Guyana until ballot counting is complete and results are announced.