The A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) Coalition has formally refused to sign the Ethnic Relations Commission’s (ERC) Elections Code of Conduct, declaring it has “no confidence” in the body’s independence or impartiality under the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) administration.
In a strongly worded statement, the coalition reaffirmed its support for the principles of “peaceful, respectful, and lawful campaigning” but said the ERC is no longer fit to oversee such a process.
“Under the PPP government, the ERC has become merely a political stooge. Not surprisingly, it has accordingly failed to perform its many constitutional functions,” APNU asserted. “The ERC is therefore unfit to serve as the sponsor of a Code of Conduct on peaceful election campaigning. Thus, we see the signing ceremony as a political gimmick, one that will do little to promote free and fair elections and to serve the interests of the Guyanese people.”
While rejecting the ERC’s sponsorship, APNU pledged to the nation that it will continue to uphold democratic values and lawful conduct throughout the campaign season.
“The APNU Coalition hereby pledges to the nation that we will conduct our campaign in a peaceful, lawful, respectful manner – as we already are,” the statement read. “We embrace the fact that Guyanese have the constitutional freedom of expression, association, and assembly. We embrace the fact that Guyanese must be able to freely vote for the party of their choice.”
The coalition also promised that, if elected to office, it will “create the conditions for the ERC to transform itself in line with its constitutional mandate.”
The ERC’s Elections Code of Conduct was designed to encourage political parties to commit to responsible behaviour during the election period. However, APNU’s refusal to sign sends a clear signal of its deep mistrust in the commission’s ability to act fairly in the lead-up to Guyana’s September 2025 elections.
