By Mark DaCosta- The A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) has raised serious concerns over what it describes as a calculated campaign of intimidation by the ruling People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C), accusing the government of undermining the integrity of the electoral process. According to the opposition, the PPP/C has been engaging in coercive tactics outside the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) office in Good Hope, East Coast Demerara, during the ongoing Claims and Objections period. The APNU contends that these actions are not only inappropriate but represent a direct threat to the independence of the electoral body and the democratic rights of citizens.
Eyewitness accounts and reports reaching the APNU suggest that the PPP/C has erected tents in close proximity to the GECOM facility, where party operatives are allegedly interacting with electors in a manner that the opposition describes as “coercive and manipulative.” The presence of these party agents, the APNU argues, is creating an atmosphere of unease and pressure for individuals seeking to participate in the lawful electoral verification process. The opposition believes that this proximity is not coincidental but rather a deliberate strategy to influence and monitor voters.
In a strongly worded statement, the APNU condemned the PPP/C’s conduct, asserting that such behaviour is unbecoming of a party in government and indicative of a deeper fear of electoral accountability. “This is not democracy, this is desperation,” the statement read, capturing the opposition’s view that the ruling party is resorting to intimidation because it fears the electorate’s verdict.
The APNU further accused the PPP/C of attempting to hijack the electoral environment by inserting itself into spaces that should remain politically neutral. The opposition insists that GECOM’s operations must be shielded from any form of political interference if the credibility of the upcoming elections is to be preserved. “GECOM’s operations must remain free from political interference if we are to maintain even a shred of credibility in this electoral process,” the statement declared.
The opposition’s concerns come at a time when public trust in electoral institutions remains fragile, following years of contentious political battles and disputed results. The APNU has called on GECOM to take immediate and decisive action to prevent any political party from encroaching on its operational space or intimidating citizens. It has also urged the international community and civil society to speak out against what it sees as a dangerous erosion of democratic norms.
The APNU’s statement paints a picture of a ruling party that is increasingly reliant on strong-arm tactics to maintain its grip on power. The opposition claims that the PPP/C’s actions reflect a broader pattern of governance marked by corruption, abuse of authority, and a disregard for transparency. According to the APNU, the government’s behaviour at the GECOM office is merely the latest manifestation of a political culture that prioritises control over democratic principles.
The opposition has also expressed concern that the PPP/C’s actions could set a troubling precedent for future elections, where political parties feel emboldened to interfere directly in the work of independent institutions. It warned that if such behaviour is allowed to continue unchecked, it could lead to a breakdown in public confidence and a further polarisation of the political landscape.
In its appeal to GECOM, the APNU emphasised the Commission’s constitutional duty to safeguard the electoral process from undue influence. It called on the body to enforce clear boundaries that prevent political actors from engaging with electors in ways that could be construed as intimidating or manipulative. The opposition also called on “all right-thinking Guyanese” to reject these tactics and demand a return to fair and transparent electoral practices.
As the country moves closer to another critical election, the APNU’s accusations have added fuel to an already charged political atmosphere. Whether GECOM will respond with the firmness the opposition demands remains to be seen, but what is clear is that the battle for the soul of our democracy is far from over. In the words of the APNU, “Democracy demands better.”
