Guyana, officially known as the Co-operative Republic of Guyana, is a country located on the northeastern coast of South America. It operates as a parliamentary democracy. Here is some information about the election system in Guyana:
- Presidential Elections: The President of Guyana is the head of state and is elected by the people through a two-round system. If no candidate receives an absolute majority (50% + 1 vote) in the first round, a second round is held between the two candidates who received the highest number of votes. The President serves as the executive authority in the country. Presidential elections in Guyana occur every five years.
- National Assembly Elections: The National Assembly is the legislative body of Guyana and consists of 65 members. Members of the National Assembly, known as Members of Parliament (MPs), are elected through a proportional representation system based on party lists. Guyana uses a closed party-list system with a 2% threshold for political parties to enter the National Assembly.
- Guyana Elections Commission: The Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) is an autonomous body responsible for organizing and overseeing elections in Guyana. It manages voter registration, candidate nominations, the voting process, and the counting of votes. The GECOM aims to ensure transparency, fairness, and credibility in the electoral process.
- Political Parties: Guyana has a multi-party system, with several political parties participating in elections. The major political parties in Guyana include the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C), the A Partnership for National Unity + Alliance For Change (APNU+AFC), and The United Republican Party (URP), among others.
- Voter Eligibility: Guyanese citizens who are at least 18 years old have the right to vote in presidential and National Assembly elections. Voter registration is required, and citizens must be included in the electoral roll to participate. Eligible voters can cast their ballots at designated polling stations within their respective constituencies.
Guyana has experienced political transitions and challenges in its democratic development. Efforts have been made to strengthen democratic institutions and improve the electoral process.
