The Carter Center said today it has received multiple allegations from political parties and civil society actors that the ruling People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) has misused state resources in its election campaign. The Center also added that social media and news reports are also rife with photographs suggestive of this misuse.
“The use of state resources for party campaigning runs contrary to Guyana’s international obligations with respect to campaign finance.
“The Carter Center has received reports alleging that the ruling party has used state-owned vehicles to campaign and taken advantage of 10-days workers (employed part-time by the government) in campaign activities.”
It notes that official government statements about the opening of schools and other public buildings regularly feature public officials in full ruling-party regalia, blurring the line between the state and the party.
“Since July 30, the president has announced he would promote over 2,800 Guyana Police Force officers. On August 1, the government announced that bridge crossings would now be free. These and similar measures can be seen to afford the ruling party an unfair advantage,” the Center said.
“While Guyana’s laws do not prohibit new government spending after an election is called, such spending runs contrary to international standards and best practices intended to ensure a level playing field,” the agency noted.
