The 1997 election date was announced on 29 October by President of the Republic Sam Hinds (People’s Progressive Party - PPP). Parliamentary and presidential voting were scheduled for the same day.

The main presidential candidates were Mrs. Janet Jagan (PPP), widow of former President Cheddi Jagan who became Prime Minister following his death in March 1997, and Mr. Desmond Hoyte (People’s National Congress - PNC), Head of State from 1985 to 1992. Mr. Hinds was the PPP’s candidate for Prime Minister.

During the campaign, Mrs. Jagan focused on issues related to education, health care, housing and improving roads, and pointed to her party’s record of reducing international debt and creating jobs. Mr. Hoyte, for his part, emphasised that he would work toward increasing foreign investment to exploit the country’s wealth of natural resources. As in the past, the PPP was mainly supported by rural citizens of East Indian origin while the PNC constituents were mostly urban-based Guyanese of African descent. Altogether 10 parties (including six new ones) were in the running.

Polling day was generally peaceful, as thousands of police and military personnel oversaw the proceedings. Teams of international observers from the Commonwealth and OAS were also on hand. Voter turnout was large and, in the wake of the results giving the left-leaning PPP (allied with the Civic group) the victory in another racially charged election, the PNC alleged widespread vote-rigging. The National Assembly national seat breakdown was PPP 29 and PNC 22.

Voter turnout was 88.42%.

On 19 December, Mrs. Jagan was sworn in as President.