We Invest in Nationhood (WIN) Regional Member of Parliament Dr. Ryan Richards is urging authorities to immediately complete the election of a Chairman and Vice Chairman for the Region 10 Regional Democratic Council (RDC), warning that the prolonged delay has created a governance crisis that is undermining democracy, accountability and the region’s ability to respond to critical issues.
According to Richards, the failure to complete the election of the RDC’s leadership has left the newly elected council unable to function fully, even as the Regional Administration reportedly moves ahead with consultations on the 2027 regional budget.
“While the election of the leadership of the 10th Regional Democratic Council remains incomplete, the Regional Administration has reportedly commenced consultations for the preparation of the 2027 Regional Budget without the guidance, participation, oversight, or input of the elected component of the Regional Democratic Council,” he stated.
The WIN parliamentarian said the Regional Executive Officer (REO) has failed to reconvene a statutory meeting of the RDC to facilitate the election of a Chairman and Vice Chairman, despite all 18 councillors of the 10th Regional Democratic Council having already been sworn into office.
At the heart of the dispute, Richards said, is the right of Region 10 residents to be governed through institutions operating in accordance with the law.
“At its core, this matter is not about political parties. It is about the right of the people of Region 10 to be governed through democratic institutions that operate in accordance with the law,” he said.
“The people voted. Councillors were elected. Councillors were sworn in. The democratic process must now be allowed to run its lawful course.”
Richards warned that the leadership vacuum is preventing the council from carrying out key statutory functions, including constituting committees responsible for disaster preparedness, procurement oversight and regional development planning.
Among the consequences he cited are weakened oversight of the Regional Administration, diminished scrutiny of public spending and projects, and reduced public confidence in regional democratic institutions.
He said the situation is especially troubling given the flooding affecting several communities across Region 10.
“The statutory committees of the Council cannot be properly constituted and made operational, including the Regional Disaster Preparedness Committee, significantly undermining the Region’s capacity to provide coordinated leadership, oversight, and response during critical events such as the ongoing flood situation affecting residents and communities throughout Region 10.”
Richards also raised concerns about procurement oversight.
“The integrity of regional tender and procurement processes is undermined as the elected Councillors are prevented from exercising their lawful role in recommending representatives to the Regional tender board,” he stated.
The MP further questioned reports that the Chairman of the previous, Ninth Regional Democratic Council continues to perform functions associated with the office despite the swearing-in of the new council.
“What is even more alarming is the apparent continuation of functions by the Chairman of the 9th Regional Democratic Council despite the fact that all eighteen Councillors of the 10th Council have already taken their Oath of Office before the REO,” he said.
“The transition from one Council to another is a cornerstone of democratic governance. Once a new Council is sworn in, democratic legitimacy shifts to that newly constituted body.”
According to Richards, reports indicate that the former chairman is actively soliciting budget proposals from stakeholders for inclusion in the 2027 regional budget.
“Such actions create confusion regarding authority, accountability, and representation,” Richards stated. “They risk undermining public confidence in the institutions of regional government and create the appearance that the elected representatives of the people of Region 10 are being sidelined from matters that directly affect the development and future of their communities.”
Richards maintained that elected councillors are central to the governance process and should not be excluded from decisions affecting the region.
“The Regional Democratic Council is not merely an advisory body. It is the elected local democratic organ established by law to represent the interests of the people at the regional level,” he said.
“The Councillors are not ceremonial office holders. They are elected representatives entrusted with the responsibility of participating in policy discussions, identifying community priorities, scrutinising expenditure proposals, and ensuring that public resources are allocated in a manner that reflects the needs of the people.”
The dispute comes amid a significant shift in Region 10’s political landscape following the 2025 General and Regional Elections. Long regarded as a stronghold of the People’s National Congress Reform (PNCR), the region delivered a plurality of votes to WIN. According to results declared by the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM), WIN secured 10,262 votes in the regional elections, ahead of A Partnership for National Unity’s (APNU) 5,370 votes and the People’s Progressive Party/Civic’s (PPP/C) 4,197 votes. The Forward Guyana Movement (FGM) received 818 votes, the Alliance For Change (AFC) 224 votes and the Assembly for Liberty and Prosperity (ALP) 82 votes.
The results gave WIN the largest bloc on the Regional Democratic Council and marked one of the most significant political realignments in Region 10 in recent decades.
Richards is now calling on the relevant authorities to urgently reconvene the RDC meeting and complete the election of the Regional Chairman and Vice Chairman in accordance with the Local Democratic Organs Act.
“The rule of law must prevail over administrative convenience. Democratic institutions must be respected. The rights of the people of Region 10 must be protected,” he said.
“No region of Guyana should be denied the full benefit of democratic governance. The people of Region 10 deserve nothing less.”
