evidence: The Guyanese election of Oct. 5, 1992 is of historic importance for Guyana and for all of Latin America and the Caribbean. For the first time in 28 years, all of the political parties of Guyana and the international observers agreed that the election was free and fair, and a peaceful transfer of power occurred. [...] Sierra Leone held presidential, parliamentary, and local government elections on Nov. 17, 2012. In September, The Carter Center deployed eight long-term observers to monitor election preparations by the electoral authorities in Freetown and around the country. The mission surged in November, with some 40 observers from 18 countries able to visit over 200 polling stations in 64 constituencies in all 14 districts throughout the country.The Center's findings are detailed in this report. [...] Sierra Leone's upcoming presidential, parliamentary, and local council elections represent a critical test for the country's emerging democratic institutions 10 years after the end of the civil war. Carter Center observers report that the campaign period has been generally peaceful, allowing political parties to assemble freely and to convey their message to potential voters.