Region 8 Records Its First-Ever Female Chair and Vice Chair

History was made in Region 8 (Potaro-Siparuni) as two women have, for the first time, assumed the top leadership positions in the Regional Democratic Council (RDC). Ms. Tercellia John was elected Chair, and Ms. Samantha John was named Vice Chair—marking the first time in Guyana’s history that two women have held these offices simultaneously in the region.

The People’s Progressive Party (PPP) secured the Chairmanship with 8 votes to 7 in a secret ballot during the first sitting of the newly constituted RDC. Surprisingly, the Vice Chair position went unopposed to the sole A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) councillor, Samantha John. Both Chairwoman Tercellia John and Vice Chairwoman Samantha John hail from the Mahdia/Campbelltown community in sub-Region 2.

The outcome has raised eyebrows across the political spectrum. Although APNU holds just one of the 15 council seats, it now occupies the Vice Chair position—a result attributed to the nature of the secret ballot process. Councillors were instructed to vote using slips of paper listing the nominated candidates for Chair and Vice Chair. However, since only one candidate—Samantha John—was nominated for Vice Chair, no vote was required for that position.

Veteran Clerk of the Council and Regional Executive Officer (REO) Mr. Peter Ramoutar administered the oath of office to councillors and then proceeded with the election of the Chair. Votes were tallied in full view of the public, law enforcement officers, and Junior Minister of Local Government, Ms. Pauline Sukhai.

Once Tercellia John was declared the winner, she immediately assumed her role and oversaw the nomination process for Vice Chair. A PPP councillor quickly nominated the lone APNU councillor, and the nomination was seconded by another PPP member. A We Invest In Nationhood (WIN) representative also endorsed the nomination—sealing the deal.

The ballot count for Chair was particularly suspenseful. Votes were cast using the GECOM marking standard—four ticks and one cross for a total of five votes per ballot. The two candidates for Chair, Tercellia John and Marcel-Ann Thomas, were tied 7–7 as the final ballot was opened under the watchful eyes of WIN representatives Wayne Robinson and Gillian Williams.

In a tense moment, the final vote was revealed: Tercellia John. A collective sigh filled the room—some in relief, some in astonishment. With that, the PPP and APNU found themselves in an unlikely partnership for Region 8.

The political dynamics in Guyana continue to evolve, filled with unexpected twists and strategic alliances. The developments in Region 8 are a reminder that, in politics, nothing is ever certain.