Abstract:

This study presents a comparative analysis of voter turnout in Guyana’s Local Government Elections (LGE) held in 1994, 2016, 2018 and 2023 which revealed a declining trend: 48%, 47%, 37%, and 35% respectively. The sharp decline in 2018 generated significant public discourse, prompting the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) to issue an official statement attributing the low turnout to voter apathy and limited voter education. Grounded in both literature and stakeholder perspectives, this study aimed to identify the key determinants influencing voter turnout in the 2016, 2018 and 2023 LGEs. A mixed-methods approach was employed, combining survey data with expert interviews. The findings highlight that voter understanding of the local government system, perceived benefits of voting, apathy, and gender are significant predictors of turnout. Conversely, education level, registration barriers, and access to polling stations had limited influence. The study underscores the pivotal role of voter education in enhancing participation and informs policy development aimed at increasing electoral engagement. Expert interviews further reinforced the need for targeted civic education and active political party involvement. The study concludes with recommendations focused on strengthening voter and civic education initiatives as a strategic response to mitigate apathy and foster higher participation in future LGEs.

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