In his Carter Center's final report on the March 19, 2001 elections here, Mr. Carter stated that "the dialogue (between President Bharrat Jagdeo and Opposition Leader, Mr. Desmond Hoyte, which has been halted) can bear fruit...including steps to ensure more inclusive governance and to provide a foundation for sustainable development with the participation of all sectors of Guyanese society".

A Carter Center team, representing 10 different countries and led by Carter and his wife Rosalynn, observed the 2001 elections and concluded that the electoral process met international standards and with high voter turnout, the results reflected the will of the people.

In its recommendations and conclusions, the Carter Center noted that it is important that Guyanese work together toward "political reconciliation, inclusiveness and good governance".

The centre said that while credible and accurate elections are essential to democratisation, it is clear that in Guyana's "winner-take-all" political system with its recurring patterns of "ethnic voting and political polarisation, elections alone will not produce an inclusive system of governance with broad participation by all major groups."

"In order to promote genuine political reconciliation and development, the government and the major political parties in Parliament, working together with civil society, should continue the process of constitutional and electoral reform", the report stated.

It noted "this would allow parties to participate meaningfully in development of policy and legislation and serve as part of a system of checks and balances that promotes accountability".

President Jagdeo opened a dialogue process with Mr. Hoyte more than a year ago but that was halted in March this year by Hoyte's People's National Congress Reform (PNC/R) because of perceived differences with the governing People's Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C).

All the international and local observer teams found that the elections last year, won by the PPP/C, were free and fair.

Carter was instrumental in forging major electoral reforms for the October 5, 1992 elections, the first free and fair polls here in about 30 years, which were won by the PPP/C.

The Carter Center, based in Atlanta, Georgia, has remained involved, with other international and local groups, with the consolidation of the democratic process in Guyana.

The centre found that last year's election day voting and counting processes went peacefully, that poll workers were well trained and professional, that voters were able to cast their votes in secret and that there were no reports of significant security incidents or intimidation.

The Carter Center also said that Guyana suffered from an irresponsibly partisan press for the 2001 elections.

It said that of particular concern was the continuation of campaign commercials and talk show propaganda throughout the electoral period, including Election Day.

"Some of the independent television stations and newspapers attempted to act in a responsible and balanced nature, but they were overshadowed by a few popular and inflammatory talk show hosts", the report stated.

The centre has included in its final report a number of recommendations for improving future elections.

Among these are:

** reform of electoral processes and procedures;

** broadcast legislation with measures to ensure that inflammatory broadcasting cannot be used to incite violence;

** and codes of conduct for political parties and the media

The Carter Center said that it plans to support Guyana's democratic consolidation and sustainable development through an integrated programme of initiatives drawing on the center's expertise in democracy, conflict resolution, economic development and transparency.

"The initiative is designed to help Guyana realise its National Development Strategy and will build on existing Carter Center activities in support of rule of law and civil society strengthening", it said.