WPA standing by co-leader Dr Hinds, undeterred by referral to ERC, committed to free and fair elections

The Working People’s Alliance (WPA) has launched a forceful defence of its co-leader, Dr. David Hinds, following his recent remarks on vote-buying practices allegedly employed by the ruling People’s Progressive Party (PPP). The party’s media release, issued on February 17, 2025, vehemently supports Hinds’ statements, positioning the comments as an essential critique of the current government’s actions, particularly within the African Guyanese community.

Hinds, in his popular online programme “Politics 101 with Dr. David Hinds” has become the centre of a heated debate after making scathing remarks regarding what he described as the PPP’s systematic attempt to “buy” votes through coercion.

According to the WPA, the ruling party has been actively using new African Guyanese converts to its cause to solicit votes from young African Guyanese, offering government handouts in return. This practice, the WPA contends, undermines the integrity of democratic processes and threatens the dignity of the African Guyanese community.

The WPA’s statement strongly condemned this alleged practice, arguing that it is an insult to those being manipulated by a government with ulterior motives aimed at ethnic domination. The party framed this as a dangerous precedent that could compromise the value of the vote and further exacerbate the country’s ethnic tensions.

A core part of Dr. Hinds’ show focused on the use of “crossover votes” — a strategy where African Guyanese professionals, as well as disillusioned opposition figures, are used as intermediaries to recruit votes for the PPP, promising benefits such as jobs, contracts, and access to government resources in exchange for political allegiance. The WPA argues that these actions are a direct violation of democratic norms and raise serious concerns about the ethical conduct of the government.

This position has sparked significant controversy, leading to an investigation by the Ethnic Relations Commission (ERC), which has noted the potential for Hinds’ words to “sow division” and disrupt national unity. The ERC is supposed to be independent body mandated to promote racial harmony and ensure the fair treatment of all ethnic groups within the nation. It has initiated a review of the podcast episode, stating that Hinds’ remarks could have a detrimental effect on the social cohesion of the country.

In response, Hinds categorically rejected calls for an apology, standing firm on his right to speak out against what he perceives as a dangerous trend. “I have not offended any ethnic group,” he said, defending his use of “everyday folk language” to convey the seriousness of the issue. He went on to explain that his statements were aimed specifically at African Guyanese who were being coerced into supporting the PPP, noting that this was an issue of principle and not one of ethnic division. “I will fight against such practices till the day I die,” Hinds declared.

The WPA also weighed in on the ERC’s involvement, expressing concern over the commission’s seeming reluctance to address more severe issues of racial hostility. “We are forced to conclude that the ERC, like other State agencies, has become captive to the PPP’s quest for domination of State and society,” the party stated.

The ERC, however, has reiterated its position. A spokesperson from the commission stated that the ongoing investigation would focus on assessing the potential impact of Hinds’ remarks on the social fabric of the nation, stressing that “public figures and content creators” have a responsibility to ensure their words do not incite racial discord. The ERC also promised to make its findings public once the investigation is concluded.

Meanwhile, the WPA has continued to raise concerns about the wider issue of vote-buying and the influence of economic elites in Guyana’s electoral process. The party pointed to the massive financial resources being channelled into the PPP’s campaigns, which it argues are not only funding from state coffers but also contributions from private, often undisclosed, sources. This, according to the WPA, makes the country’s electoral process increasingly vulnerable to manipulation by those with the wealth and power to exert influence over political outcomes.

The transparency organisation Transparency International recently echoed the WPA’s concerns, asserting that Guyana’s governance structure has become increasingly captive to both political and economic elites. “This has led to a reluctance or inability of the government to follow the rule of law,” Transparency International noted, underlining the growing authoritarian tendencies within the PPP government.

In light of these developments, the WPA has engaged in discussions with the Guyana Trade Union Congress (GTUC) to address these concerns and to advocate for fairer electoral processes. The two bodies agree that key obstacles to free and fair elections, such as a bloated voters list and the refusal to implement biometrics, need urgent attention. The WPA has also voiced support for public protests aimed at pushing the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) to act on these issues, which it sees as critical to ensuring a truly democratic process.

While the WPA continues to call out what it sees as unethical practices by the PPP, it remains steadfast in its commitment to democratic rights. As Dr. Hinds put it, “We fought for the right of Guyanese to join any political party of their choice. I will fight to protect and preserve those rights till the day I die.”