By Mark DaCosta- As the dust settles following our recent general and regional elections, a complex scenario is emerging, marked by significant losses for traditional political entities and concerns over the integrity of the voting process. Although the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) has yet to release official results, preliminary projections based on released Statements of Poll suggest a dramatic shift in the political landscape of our nation. Also, questions have been raised regarding the participation of foreign nationals in the electoral process, which could undermine the credibility of the elections.
A myriad of civil society organisations, including the Guyanese Human Rights Association (GHRA), the Guyana Trade Union Congress, and the Amerindian Peoples Association, have voiced considerable concerns regarding reports of foreign nationals participating in the electoral process. Allegations have emerged about groups of Indian and Bangladeshi contract workers allegedly arriving at polling stations in organised formations, raising eyebrows about the legitimacy of their voting rights. Such practices are viewed as blatant violations of our legal framework, which stipulates that Commonwealth nationals can only vote after having resided in our nation for at least a year.
Chief of the CARICOM observer mission, Belize’s Chief Elections Officer Josephine Tamai, reported no complaints regarding the involvement of foreign voters during election day. Yet, the GHRA and other organisations insist that many of these individuals, who were seen casting ballots, were mistakenly identified as voters due to a risky loophole, which designated them as “Commonwealth” instead of “Guyanese” on their voter ID cards. They have demanded that international observers refrain from endorsing the election results until these grave concerns are fully investigated and addressed.
In a stark representation of the changing political winds, the newly formed We Invest in Nationhood (WIN) party, led by businessman Azruddin Mohamed, has reportedly made substantial inroads into traditional APNU voting bases, notably in Regions 10 and 7. This shift is particularly alarming for the APNU, which has historically dominated these territories. Predictions suggest that WIN is well-positioned to claim its place within the National Assembly, which would pose a significant threat to APNU’s standing as the principal opposition party — a position it has held since the early 1990s.
APNU’s presidential candidate, Aubrey Norton, lamented the noticeable decline in voter turnout, attributing it in part to a growing disillusionment among the electorate with the existing political framework. He alleged that many Guyanese are fatigued by the persistent political stalemate and argued that the failure of his party to form a coalition with the Alliance for Change (AFC) during the run-up to the elections significantly dampened voter enthusiasm. Norton’s reflections point toward a disintegration of voting blocs that previously provided solid support for the APNU+AFC coalition.
Nonetheless, it is critical to note that GECOM’s official endorsement of the election results is still pending. Concerns continue to mount as the legitimacy of the elections comes into question, particularly with allegations of foreign voting at the forefront. The landscape of our nation’s governance hangs in the balance, caught between expectations of democratic integrity and the realities of an evolving political environment.
With the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) claiming victory and emerging parties like WIN seeming to disrupt the status quo, this election cycle may very well become a pivotal moment in our nation’s political history. As the dust settles, the onus will be on both GECOM and the public to demand transparency and fairness to safeguard the democratic process for all Guyanese citizens.
See statement below:
Urgent Concerns Regarding the Integrity and Accessibility of Guyana’s 2025 National Election
The organizations listed below are expressing serious concern regarding the integrity and inclusiveness of the September 2025 National Elections. While polling day was largely peaceful, multiple issues threaten the credibility of the process and the constitutional right of citizens to participate in free and fair elections.
Key Concerns Identified:
- Foreign Voter Participation
○ Credible reports and video evidence show groups of alleged Bangladeshi and Indian contract workers arriving in organized formations by bus at polling stations, most visibly in Region 4. The buses were met by senior police officers, suggesting prior organization.
○ These individuals presented Guyanese National ID cards. However, under the “Nationality” field, the word “Commonwealth” was recorded instead of “Guyanese,” which is legally invalid. Such registration should have been rejected under the Constitution and electoral law.
○ Our organizations demand clarification on:
■ The number, origin and status of all foreign voters on the electoral register.
■ Whether any coercion or contractual obligation influenced their participation.
■ Similar information for other non-Guyanese voters, such as Venezuelan nationals registered to vote.
2. Voting Irregularities
○ Arrival of voters en bloc, rather than individually, is inconsistent with the principle of secret, individual suffrage enshrined in the Constitution.
○ Inclusion of ineligible foreign nationals undermines the credibility of the vote.
3. Legal and Constitutional Implications
○ Article 59 of the Constitution of Guyana reserves the right to vote for citizens only. Any dilution of this right through ineligible voter participation compromises the legality and legitimacy of the electoral outcome.
○ Given the stakes, including governance over substantial oil revenues, it is imperative that all procedural, legal, and constitutional safeguards are rigorously enforced.
Observer Responsibility:
International observers have emphasized that elections must be credible, inclusive, and transparent. If this standard is applied, the GHRA would be shocked if any observer mission were to declare this election credible, inclusive, and transparent without first obtaining clarification on these critical issues, particularly foreign voter participation and accessibility failures.
Call to Action:
- To GECOM: Provide a full and transparent account of voter eligibility verification and remedial action for accessibility failures.
- To International and Domestic Observers: Withhold certification of the election results until foreign voter irregularities and accessibility breaches are fully investigated and remedied.
- To Government and Judiciary: Uphold the constitutional right of citizens to vote by initiating thorough inquiries and ensuring corrective measures where required.
We emphasize that successful elections are not measured solely by the absence of violence but by the credibility, legality, and inclusiveness of the electoral process. Without urgent action on these issues, the legitimacy of the 2025 elections—and by extension, governance over Guyana’s oil wealth—remains in serious doubt.
2nd September 2025
This statement is endorsed by:
- Guyana Trade Union Congress (GTUC)
- Red Thread
- Guyana Organization of Indigenous Peoples (GOIP)
- Policy Forum Guyana
- Access to Information Group
- Amerindian Peoples Association (APA)
- Guyana Workers Union (GWU)
- East Coast Clean-up Committee
- Transparency Institute Guyana Inc. (TIGI)
- Guyana Society for the Blind
- SASOD Guyana
