By Mark DaCosta- In a poignant reflection on the recent elections, the Working People’s Alliance (WPA) has voiced deep concerns regarding the integrity and credibility of the electoral process in our country. Characterising the recent national and regional elections as profoundly compromised, the WPA has joined a chorus of voices from civil society and political entities, asserting that the elections were marred by an environment that was neither free nor fair, and rife with intimidation and political coercion.
The WPA’s statement, released shortly after a news conference on September 17, crystallises the sentiment that the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) has failed in its duty to uphold democratic values, having descended into partisanship that has rendered the electoral process ineffective before any votes were even cast. This situation has been described as a significant betrayal, with GECOM seen as a mere instrument of the ruling People’s Progressive Party (PPP).
The chairperson of GECOM, who is expected to be an impartial adjudicator of the elections, has been accused of facilitating the PPP’s agenda, leading the WPA to express doubt about the viability of reforming the commission with representatives from civil society. The WPA cautions that if such representatives mirror the current chairperson’s approach, a shift in composition could lead to even more disastrous outcomes.
The aftermath of the 2020 elections, which left many unhealed wounds, looms large over this year’s polls. The WPA highlighted that GECOM’s refusal to address documented cases of electoral fraud from the previous elections means that the current electoral landscape is fundamentally flawed.
The bloated voters list, which has been labelled as rigged, raises incessant concerns about potential voter impersonation, a practice that was only uncovered during a forensic recount in the last election. Despite these glaring issues, GECOM has shockingly refused to implement the use of biometric verification in the 2025 elections, thus further compromising the integrity of the process.
The press release reveals that the corruption ran deeper still, with allegations of systemic vote-buying undermining the elections’ credibility. The WPA says that the overt display of cash made a mockery of the democratic process, prompting a rare cautionary note from GECOM, which ultimately failed to make any significant difference. In light of these failures, the WPA has called for stricter laws surrounding vote-buying and clearer mechanisms for enforcement.
As the nation grapples with the fallout from these compromised elections, the WPA is urging a movement towards reform to eradicate the cycle of rigged elections. They advocate for a robust national campaign to push for constitutional and statutory changes to the electoral system, maintaining that the arguments for contesting flawed elections are increasingly falling on deaf ears. Notably, the dramatic drop in voter turnout in the recent elections indicates widespread disillusionment among the electorate, a reflection of the eroding public trust in the system.
The press release also addresses the significant loss of support for the A Partnership for National Unity (APNU), with the WPA acknowledging a need for vigilance in understanding the complexities behind this shift. While attributing part of the decline to vote-buying and the failure to present a united front as a grand coalition, they contend that a calculated smear campaign against the APNU’s presidential candidate and a perception of unfulfilled promises during the coalition’s time in government contributed to the erosion of support. Recognising these factors, the WPA is calling for a listening campaign to glean insights directly from voters regarding their motivations for abstaining or changing their votes.
In a display of political determination, the WPA has confirmed its entry into the National Assembly, having secured a seat as part of a pre-election agreement with the APNU. Dr David Hinds has been selected to fill this role. The WPA says it intends to utilise this platform to advocate for key issues such as poverty alleviation, educational reform, equitable distribution of oil wealth, and to foster a sense of accountability from the government. Even as it navigates a challenging political landscape, the WPA aims to restore faith in the assembly, striving for meaningful debates and an enhanced oversight role in governance.
With their apparent proactive stance and unyielding commitment to the democratic process, the WPA is set to galvanise public sentiment and instigate change, appealing to all sectors of the society for a renewed movement towards genuine democracy. In these trying times for our nation, the call for free and fair elections has never been more urgent.
