Commonwealth Secretary-General Shirley Botchwey will deploy a Commonwealth Observer Group (COG) to observe the forthcoming general and regional elections in Guyana, scheduled for 1 September 2025.
Led by Fekitamoeloa Katoa ‘Utoikamanu, former minister of foreign affairs Tonga, the Commonwealth Observer Group comprises eminent Commonwealth citizens with distinguished backgrounds in law, election administration, diplomacy, human rights, civil society, politics and media, among others.
A release from the Commonwealth said that the mandate of the group is to consider factors which could affect the credibility of the electoral process as a whole. Members will assess on whether the elections have been conducted according to the standards for democratic elections to which all Commonwealth member states have committed themselves, with particular reference to the Commonwealth Charter, national legislation and other relevant regional and international commitments.
Announcing the team in London, Secretary-General Botchwey said:
“The Commonwealth Observer Group is mandated to operate with impartiality and independence. It is empowered to offer recommendations on institutional, procedural, or other relevant matters that could support relevant stakeholders in enhancing the conduct of future elections. This commitment to impartiality and constructive feedback underscores our dedication to supporting democratic processes across our member countries throughout an election cycle.”
The Commonwealth Secretary-General also expressed her gratitude to the Chairperson, who will lead the COG, and to each of the eminent experts, who will participate in this important democratic exercise.
At the end of the exercise, the Commonwealth Observer Group will submit a report containing their observations and recommendations to the Commonwealth Secretary-General. This report will subsequently be shared with the Government of Guyana, the Elections Commission, political parties, and Commonwealth member governments, the release said.
The Commonwealth Observer Group will be in Guyana from 25th August to 7 September 2025 and will be supported by a six-member staff team from the Commonwealth Secretariat, led by Linford Andrews, Adviser and Head of the Electoral Support Section in the Governance and Peace Directorate.
Members of the Commonwealth Observer Group
Chairperson: Hon. Fekitamoeloa Katoa ‘Utoikamanu, former Cabinet Minister of Tonga
The Commonwealth Observer Group members, in alphabetical order by country name, are:
Mr Shahariar Sadat – Deputy Executive Director, Centre for Peace and Justice, BRAC University – Bangladesh
Ms Alicia Wallace, Women’s rights activist – The Bahamas
Ms Angela Taylor, Chief Electoral Officer – Barbados
Mr Darrell Bradley, Former President of the Belize Senate and Mayor of Belize City – Belize
Mr Ademola Adeeko, Digital media strategist and communications professional – Nigeria
Mr Demion McTair, Communication lecturer, and award-winning journalist – Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
Dr Sudarshini Perpetua Fernandopulle, Former Member of Parliament – Sri Lanka
Ms Terry Dale Ince, Developmental specialist and human rights advocate – Trinidad and Tobago
Ms Robinah Rubimbwa, Mediator and peace activist – Uganda
Mr Ben Graham Jones, Electoral Expert – United Kingdom
