Azruddin Mohamed Elected Leader of the Opposition, Calls for Parliamentary Cooperation

The We Invest in Nationhood (WIN) leader Azruddin Mohamed was on Monday elected Leader of the Opposition with no votes cast against him, during proceedings in the National Assembly. The 2026 National Budget will be read this afternoon.

The election came months after the 13th Parliament convened on November 3, 2025, following sustained pressure from opposition parties and civil society groups for the constitutional post to be filled. Members of the Western diplomatic community had also publicly urged the government and PPP-elected Speaker Manzoor Nadir to hold the election “without delay,” emphasising the importance of a fully constituted Parliament and effective democratic oversight.

Mohamed’s party, holds 16 of the 29 opposition seats — the clear majority among opposition members — with the A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) holding 12 and Forward Guyana Movement (FGM) one. The APNU abstained from the vote, while the ForwardFGM reportedly supported Mohamed’s election.

Following the vote, Speaker Manzoor Nadir congratulated Mohamed and invited him to address the House. In brief remarks, Mohamed called for cooperation across Parliament, reminding members that all MPs had taken an oath to serve the people of Guyana.

He said it was time for Parliament to function as a forum for “intelligent debate,” adding that unity meant working together even amid disagreement. Mohamed stated that the opposition would support government policies that benefit citizens and oppose those that do not, “firmly, responsibly and without fear.”

After his address, Mohamed was invited to the Speaker’s Chambers, where he expressed gratitude for what he described as a smooth electoral process.

Mohamed was nominated by WIN MP Gobin Harbhajan and seconded by WIN MP Tabitha Sarabo-Halley.

However, the election was overshadowed by concerns over transparency after independent media houses were barred from entering Parliament, while the state-owned National Communications Network (NCN) was granted full access to the Chamber.

Media advocates and observers warned that excluding independent media from such a critical constitutional process undermines transparency, weakens accountability, and erodes public trust in democratic institutions. They said the move represents a troubling signal for democracy, denying citizens the right to observe and scrutinise parliamentary proceedings carried out in their name.

Meanwhile, WIN supporters who had gathered opposite the Parliament Buildings were later asked to disperse as police erected barriers in the area.