THE Commonwealth Secretariat will not be among the observers when Jamaicans go to the polls on September 3.

A Commonwealth Observer Group (COG) has long been a feature of elections in the region and a team is now in Guyana to observe that country’s general and regional elections due to be held on September 1.

But in response to questions from the Jamaica Observer, a spokesperson for the Commonwealth Secretariat said the time frame of the invitation for a team to come to Jamaica for the polls next Wednesday did not allow for its usual process to deploy an Observer Group.

“However, we look forward to other opportunities to support Jamaica on its democratic journey as a valued member of the Commonwealth and we send the people of Jamaica our best wishes for a successful election process,” the spokesperson said.

In Guyana an 11-person COG has been deployed to observe the entire polling process, following an invitation from the Guyana Elections Commission.

In a press statement released on Monday, chair of the COG Fekitamoeloa Katoa Utoikamanu, former foreign affairs minister of Tonga, said, “May peace and national unity prevail above all.”

She added, “Today, my colleagues and I from the Commonwealth are here to observe and assess these elections to be able to report on the nature of the elections, and to offer recommendations that may serve to improve future election processes and institutions.

“The Commonwealth has a long-standing commitment to strengthen electoral democracy, and this year marks a notable milestone — 45 years of observing elections across its member countries. Commonwealth electoral support has contributed to promote credible, transparent, and inclusive elections throughout the Commonwealth family.”

The chairperson stressed that the group will be guided by the principles of neutrality, impartiality, objectivity, and independence.

The COG, as part of its mandate, will report on whether the elections were conducted in accordance with the standards to which Guyana has committed itself, including its national law, regional and international commitments.

The group will meet with various stakeholders, including civil society representatives, political parties, the police, Guyana Elections Commission, citizen observers, and the media.

From August 30, the group will be deployed in small teams across the country to observe the voting, counting, and results process.

On election day they will observe the opening, voting, closing, counting, and results management processes, and issue an interim statement on their preliminary findings on September 3.

The group will depart Guyana on September 7, after preparing a draft of the final report which will then be submitted to the Commonwealth secretary general before being shared with relevant stakeholders.

In April a COG was deployed to Trinidad and Tobago to observe that country’s general election.

That six-member team was led by Evarist Bartolo, a former foreign affairs minister of Malta with more than 30 years of parliamentary experience.

The team observed all aspects of the elections in Trinidad and Tobago offering recommendations to ensure the highest standards of electoral credibility, inclusivity and transparency as they assessed the pre-election environment, the voting process, and the post-election period.

Meanwhile, three observer missions from the Caribbean Community (Caricom), the Organization of American States (OAS), and Citizens Action for Free and Fair Elections (CAFFE) have so far committed to observe the polls in Jamaica.

The OAS mission will be headed by the former prime minister of St Lucia Dr Kenny Anthony.