Carter Center Report Overlooks Key Issues of Electoral Conduct – VP

August 22, 2025 – General Secretary of the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) and Vice President Dr. Bharrat Jagdeo, has welcomed the Carter Center’s finding that there is no evidence of a bloated voters’ list, but noted that several critical issues were omitted from the observer body’s latest report.

Speaking at his weekly press conference on Thursday, Dr. Jagdeo highlighted concerns that the report did not address serious allegations of vote-buying involving US-sanctioned businessman Azruddin Mohamed and his political party, We Invest in Nationhood (WIN).

Allegedly, video recordings circulated in recent weeks show WIN representatives distributing money to residents in hinterland communities, sometimes in Mohamed’s presence.

The revelations had prompted the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) to remind the public that such practices are illegal, and led other parties to call for restrictions on cell phone use at polling places.

Jagdeo also criticized the omission of incidents involving WIN campaign members. He referenced video evidence of WIN representative Bradley “Doggie” Sampson physically assaulting a woman during a dispute over payments for party work. Additionally, Jagdeo drew attention to threats allegedly made by WIN candidate Bryan Max against the Minister of Education, which he argued should have been flagged as serious breaches of electoral conduct.

While the Carter Center noted that Guyana’s elections were being conducted in a generally peaceful and non-violent environment, Jagdeo maintained that the report failed to capture the gravity of these incidents.

The Carter Center, a respected US-based election observer organization, is currently monitoring Guyana’s 2025 General and Regional Elections. The body was previously lauded for its role in safeguarding Guyana’s democracy during the disputed 2020 elections.