Guyana’s political leaders are coming under pressure from external organizations to desist from the use of provocative and severe language as Guyanese prepare to head to the polls.

The political parties are also being encouraged  to sign the Code of Conduct as campaigning heats up across the country.

British High Commissioner to Guyana, James Gregory Quinn on Wednesday condemned what he said is the clear use of intemperate language by leading figures as Guyana prepares for the upcoming general and regional elections.

The British envoy said the consequences of using provocative and intemperate language along the campaign trail are well known and cautioned political leaders to desist from using it to gain political support and awake their support base.

He said there was the need for political leaders to seek out more polite words to be used and share respect for each other and opposing views.

“Everybody on all sides who has influence including journalist and social commentators all has a responsibility to ensure that the campaigns are conducted using appropriate language,” he added.

The British High Commissioner said there have been examples where intemperate language was used but refused to identify them specifically.

“We are all decent individuals and need to share respect so therefore we should ensure the campaigns are conducted in a friendly and polite manner,” he lamented.

Meanwhile, the Electoral Observation Mission of the Organization of American States (EOM/OAS) in Guyana has also expressed its concern at the escalation of provocative language being used in the run-up to the May 11 polls.

The OAS is pleading with all stakeholders to engage in a respectful exchange of ideas during the political campaign.

“After meeting with a wide range of political party representatives in the country during the Preliminary Mission, the EOM witnessed a general consensus among all stakeholder parties regarding the importance of a calm and civil environment during the electoral process,” a statement issues late Wednesday noted.

The OAS Observer Mission wants all political parties to review, sign and implement as soon as possible, the Code of Conduct prepared and circulated for approval by the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) with the intention of preventing divisive and inflammatory language during the electoral campaign.

GECOM Chairman Dr. Steve Surujbally confirmed that while some of the small parties have signed the Code of Conduct the ruling PPP Civic and the APNU+AFC coalition are yet to sign and return the document.

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