Abstract:

This research explores the impact of civic education on voter turnout in Guyana’s Local Government Elections (LGEs), particularly in light of the prolonged 24-year gap between the 1994 and 2016 elections. Despite legal provisions requiring LGEs every three years, turnout has remained below 50%, indicating low civic engagement. Utilizing a mixed-methods, phenomenological approach, the study combines quantitative surveys and qualitative interviews with electoral stakeholders and content analysis of civic education materials. The findings reveal a significant correlation between civic knowledge and electoral participation. Key barriers include limited understanding of local governance, political interference, inadequate civic education outreach, and a general lack of trust in the process. Youths and men were less likely to vote, underscoring demographic disparities in engagement. The study recommends a holistic civic education strategy integrating school-based learning, targeted social media campaigns, and collaborative efforts among electoral bodies, government ministries, and civil society. The findings offer valuable insights for policy reforms at the Guyana Elections Commission and may inform strategic planning in similar electoral contexts across the region.

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