Shahariar Sadat of BRAC University Joins Commonwealth Election Observer Team in Guyana

Shahariar Sadat, Deputy Executive Director of the Centre for Peace and Justice (CPJ) of BRAC University, has joined a Commonwealth team following its invitation to observe the national and regional elections in Guyana scheduled for 1st September 2025.

Led by former Tongan foreign affairs minister Fekitamoeloa Katoa ‘Utoikamanu, the 11-person Commonwealth Observer Group (COG) comprises eminent citizens with backgrounds in law, election administration, diplomacy, human rights, civil society, politics, and media, among others.

The mandate of the group is to consider factors that could affect the credibility of the electoral process as a whole. Members will assess whether the elections followed democratic standards to which 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, Commonwealth Secretary-General Shirley 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,” she said. The COG will be in Guyana from 25 August to 7 September 2025.

At the end of the exercise, it will submit a report containing observations and recommendations to the Commonwealth secretary-general. This report will subsequently be shared with the Guyanese government, the election commission, political parties, and Commonwealth member governments.