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Representatives of The Carter Center observed the 1991 election in Suriname.
In May 1991, representatives of The Carter Center monitored the election in Suriname as part of a mission sponsored by the Organization of American States. This mission was well-received by the people of Suriname and by the political organizations there. In accordance with Suriname's constitution, Dr. Jules Ajodhia and Ronald Venetiaan, both of the New Freedom Coalition Party, were elected vice president and president of Suriname, respectively. An independent audit conducted by the OAS mission concluded there was no fraud in the tabulation of official results.
Delegates from The Carter Center represented the Council of Presidents and Prime Ministers of the Americas, an informal group of current and former heads of government from throughout the Western Hemisphere who promoted democracy and the peaceful resolution of the region's conflicts. Well-known for mediating and observing elections, the council monitored voting in Panama, Nicaragua, Haiti, Suriname, the Dominican Republic, Jamaica, Guyana, Paraguay, Mexico, and Venezuela.
Read more about the Council of Presidents and Prime Ministers of the Americas >
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Size: 163,820 square kilometers
Population: 609,569
Population below poverty line: 70%
Life expectancy: 73.3 years
Ethnic groups: Hindustani (also known locally as "East Indians"), Creole, Javanese, "Maroon," mixed, and others
Religions: Hindu, Protestant (includes Evangelical, Moravian, Reformed, Lutheran), Roman Catholic, Muslim, other Christian, Winti, Jehovah’s Witness, and others
Languages: Dutch (official), English (widely spoken), Sranang Tongo (Surinamese, sometimes called Taki-Taki), Caribbean Hindustani (a dialect of Hindi), Javanese
Source: U.S. Central Intelligence Agency World Factbook 2020