By Mark DaCosta- The Working People’s Alliance (WPA) has taken a decisive stance on key issues concerning the upcoming 2025 general and regional elections during a recent press conference, where senior officials, including Dr. David Hinds and Tacuma Ogunseye, addressed, and took questions from the media. Their discussions centred around the urgent need for a brand new voters’ list, reforms in governance, and the management of the country’s burgeoning oil wealth.
Dr. Hinds opened the conference with a stark assertion regarding the voters’ list. “Nothing short of a brand new voters’ list resulting from house-to-house registration will suffice,” he declared. This call for a complete overhaul stems from ongoing concerns about the integrity and accuracy of the current list, which Hinds argued is essential for a credible electoral process. He emphasised that without these reforms, the upcoming elections risk being compromised, he said that confidence of the electorate is paramount, and we must restore faith in our electoral machinery.
The WPA did not hold back in its criticism of the current chair of the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM), alleging a consistent bias towards the ruling People’s Progressive Party (PPP). Hinds urged the chair to adopt a more equitable approach, he called on the chair to be fair and consensus-driven, as the integrity of our elections depends on it.
On the topic of governance, Ogunseye highlighted the importance of inclusivity and reconciliation. He accused the PPP government of fostering a culture of silence that hampers public discourse. He emphasised that governance must be rooted in dialogue and participation, not suppression.
When discussing the possibility of a coalition for the next elections, Hinds conveyed the WPA’s strong preference for a united opposition. He noted that while talks with the A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) are ongoing, any future coalition must learn from past mistakes. He said that the last coalition framework failed because commitments were not honoured. Hinds underscored that any new agreement would need to respect the contributions of smaller parties, saying that smaller parties bring more to the table than just numbers; we offer policies and ideas that resonate with voters, he said.
The press conference also addressed economic issues, particularly concerning the sugar industry. Hinds raised alarm over the disparity between the international selling price of sugar and GUYSUCO’s production costs. He noted that selling sugar for four cents a pound while producing it at twelve cents is unsustainable. This situation must change; we cannot continue to burden the treasury, he asserted, calling for a comprehensive reform of the industry to ensure its viability.
A crucial part of the discussion involved the WPA’s support for a referendum on the renegotiation of the Profit Sharing Agreement with ExxonMobil. While Hinds said that the WPA conditionally supports this initiative, he stressed that any referendum must encompass questions about how oil revenues are to be allocated. He said that this is not just about the contract; it’s about how we, as a nation, choose to utilise our resources for the benefit of all citizens. He dismissed concerns that such a referendum might devolve into a partisan exercise, asserting that, if well thought out and timed, it could greatly enhance our democracy.
Additionally, the WPA reiterated its demand for cash grants to be legislated, aligning with the principles of the Buxton Proposal or similar ideas. They vehemently opposed the government’s recent cash grant initiative, calling it unconstitutional and an example of executive overreach. The government’s decision to implement these grants without legislative oversight is a blatant disregard for democratic principles, Hinds made clear.
Hinds also called for the implementation of biometrics to secure the electoral process. He referenced documented instances of voter impersonation from previous elections, insisting that we must adopt technology that ensures integrity at the polls. The WPA further critiqued government excuses about technological limitations, saying, “These justifications are no longer acceptable; the technology exists, and it must be utilised.”
The WPA’s press conference laid out a wide ranging vision for electoral integrity and governance in our nation. As the 2025 elections approach, their emphatic calls for a fresh voters’ list, transparent financial distributions, and coalition-building reflect the critical challenges facing the political landscape in Guyana.
