By Waneka Arrindell- Everyone seems to have something to say about someone’s political stance these days, so I figured—why not add my voice to the mix?
But first, a little disclaimer: I don’t consider myself a politician. Most people assume I am. But in the buzzing world of politicking, I’ve been told by “seasoned political analysts” and die-hard party veterans that I’m not. And honestly? I’m good with that. The only title I’m truly aiming for is Child of the King.
Now, to my opinion—and yes, I’ll tell it through a story.
Not too long ago, I watched a news report that chilled me. Five young men walked into a school and opened fire on their classmates and teachers. When asked why, they answered: “No one liked us.”
I did laugh—but not the haha kind. It was the kind of laugh you give when something makes no sense. Because last I checked, five is a group. If nobody liked them, couldn’t they have found solace in each other? I mean, five of them… with five families, five sets of mothers, fathers, siblings, aunts, uncles, cousins. There was community around them. But something broke.
That story reminds me—painfully—of what’s happening in our political landscape.
Let’s talk numbers. Twenty-eight political parties are contesting the upcoming elections. That’s not a joke—twenty-eight individuals are hopefuls for president.
Now, let’s be real: The PPP and PNC have planted their flags. Love them or hate them, they’ve stood the test of time. They’ve shown their true colours—and for those who are watching, they have seen and understood. The remaining 26 parties? Many are breakaways, born from disappointment, dissatisfaction, or defiance. But they didn’t walk alone. Each took supporters, believers, and families with them.
To even get on the ballot, each of the 26 minor parties must gather at least 400 endorsements. That’s 10,400 people just to get those 26 validated. Let’s say each of those people brings a household of three—that’s 31,200 Guyanese already aligned with someone.
Guyana’s voting population is approximately 500,000. That leaves around 468,800 votes in play—still a powerful number.
In the last elections, here’s how it looked:
– APNU/AFC: 217,920
– PPP/C: 233,666
That’s 451,586 votes locked between the two major players.
Smaller parties gathered:
– ANUG – 2,313
– CG – 1,953
– LJP – 2,657
– PRP – 889
– TCI – 680
– TNM – 244
– URP – 360
Total minor votes: 9,096
That still leaves 39,318 potential voters who didn’t turn up last election. These are not just statistics—they’re voices waiting to be heard, and they may be inspired by a new message.
But here’s the real twist: if each of those 39,318 voters who stayed home last time were to show up—and bring just three more people along—we’re talking about nearly 118,000 votes. That alone could change the entire outcome of an election.
And let’s not forget—many of the 26 new parties were formed by people who walked away from the two giants: PPP and APNU/AFC. If each party manages to pull even a third of the support they left behind, that’s potentially over 150,000 votes up for grabs. Now imagine what could happen if those voices came together—not scattered in competition, but focused in cooperation.
Here’s are my questions to the 26 parties:
Why did you walk away?
Do you think you can do it on your own?
What would it take for you to unite?
I sincerely hope your opposition to the established parties comes from a place of principle—not bitterness. And I pray your aim is not to splinter the nation further, but to build something better.
Because the truth is: None of you can make it alone.
If each party charges ahead, fixated on the presidential seat, you risk doing what those five boys did—causing destruction because you felt unheard. But if you can pause, reflect, and unite, then maybe—just maybe—you can rewrite this country’s story.
Imagine: 26 parties putting aside ego, greed, and political ambition to form a coalition of care. Imagine choosing a consensus candidate not based on popularity or power, but on love for country.
Now that would be a campaign worth voting for.
Because sometimes the real victory isn’t in claiming a seat—it’s in changing the game altogether. (Extracted from Arrindell’s Facebook)
