High Court to Rule Friday on Forward Guyana Ballot Challenge

Acting Chief Justice Navindra Singh will deliver his ruling this Friday in a significant electoral dispute brought by Krystal Fisher of the Forward Guyana Movement (FGM). Fisher is seeking to halt Monday’s General and Regional Elections unless GECOM includes her party on the ballot across Regions 7, 8, and 9.

FGM, having submitted candidate lists for seven of Guyana’s ten electoral districts, argues that meeting the six-region minimum entitles the party to appear on ballots in all ten regions. Attorney Dr. Vivian Williams, representing Fisher, told the court that excluding FGM violates voters’ rights under Article 59 and runs counter to constitutional mandates on equality, inclusion, and broad democratic participation outlined in Article 13. He also cited protections under Article 149.

“I am confident that the law stands on the side of the applicant,” Williams declared, calling GECOM’s practices inconsistent with constitutional democratic principles.

In response, GECOM’s attorney Arudranauth Gossai maintained that FGM forfeited its right to appear on the ballot in Regions 7 through 9 by failing to submit candidate lists for those areas. Gossai warned that interrupting the election would disenfranchise a significant portion of the electorate. “I don’t see any court doing that at this late stage,” he remarked, suggesting that legal challenges could proceed after the elections.

Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs Anil Nandlall avoided speculation about potential delays, simply affirming: “I know that I’m a candidate. I’m going to elections with the rest of the country on September the 1^st.”

When pressed about the timing of the legal action, FGM leader Amanza Walton-Desir stated that the decision to file on August 20 followed confirmation that the party was missing from the ballot via physical inspection.

The court’s decision on Friday remains pivotal—determining whether the elections proceed unaltered or must adapt in the final hours.

Constitutional Articles Cited

• Article 59 (Qualifications and Disqualifications for Electors):

Every person aged 18 or older may vote in an election if they are a citizen of Guyana or a Commonwealth citizen domiciled and resident in Guyana

• Article 13 (Principal Objective of the Political System):

“The principal objective of the political system of the State is to establish an inclusionary democracy, by providing increasing opportunities for the **participation of citizens, and their organisations in the management and decision‑making processes of the State, with particular emphasis on those areas of decision‑making that directly affect their well‑being

• Article 149 (Protection from Discrimination):

No law shall be discriminatory, either in itself or in effect, and no person shall be treated in a discriminatory manner by any person exercising public authority. “Discriminatory” refers to differential treatment based on factors such as race, political opinion, creed, disability, or social class, resulting in unfair restrictions or privileges.