GEORGETOWN – General and regional elections in Guyana have been set for September 1, 2025, President Dr. Mohamed Irfaan Ali announced in a televised address on May 26. The election date – falling just over five years since the disputed 2020 polls – kicks off an official campaign season in which the ruling People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) will seek a new mandate amid an oil-fueled economic boom, while a fractured opposition scrambles to mount a challenge.
Invoking the need for “stability and continuity,” President Ali used an Independence Day speech to proclaim Election Day 2025. Nomination Day has been set for July 14, 2025, by which time all parties must submit their candidate lists and symbols for approval. The early notice gives the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) just over three months to finalize preparations, including the voter roll and logistics for the country’s 10 regions. Ali promised to issue the formal elections proclamation “within the constitutional timeframe,” honoring the requirement for polls by year-end. International observer groups – including the Commonwealth, OAS, and CARICOM – are expected to be invited to monitor the process.
The upcoming election is poised to be Guyana’s first in the era of oil production, with the country now enjoying the world’s fastest-growing economy and newfound geopolitical clout. At stake are all 65 seats in the National Assembly as well as regional council posts. The PPP/C government, led by President Ali and Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo, is riding high on record 62.3% GDP growth last year and billions in oil revenues fueling mega-projects. It hopes voters will reward its stewardship. “We are ready for the 2025 election. And we are prepared to win it for the people of Guyana,” Jagdeo declared confidently at a party rally. The PPP/C is expected to campaign on its track record of infrastructure development, job creation, and cash grants that have directly reached ordinary citizens.
In contrast, the opposition enters the race in disarray. The main opposition coalition, A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) – anchored by the People’s National Congress Reform (PNCR) – recently splintered from its erstwhile partner, the Alliance For Change (AFC), after failing to revive their pact This means the opposition forces will be divided on the ballot for the first time since 2011, potentially diluting their vote share. Opposition Leader Aubrey Norton (PNCR) now faces not only the formidable PPP but also a breakaway AFC running separately under leader Nigel Hughes. Smaller third parties and civic groups are also likely to contest, though none currently command mass support.
The road to E-Day will test Guyana’s electoral system, which underwent significant reforms after the protracted 2020 election crisis. In that vote, a disputed count and allegations of fraud led to a five-month impasse before the PPP/C was declared winner. Vowing “never again,” the Ali administration pushed through amendments to the Representation of the People Act (ROPA) and other laws aimed at tightening procedures and increasing transparency. These new rules – passed in Parliament on June 2, 2025 – include adding deputy returning officers to prevent bottlenecks, harsher penalties for misconduct, and clearer timelines for results tabulation. Attorney General Anil Nandlall said the reforms “blocked the last loopholes” that bad actors exploited in 2020, underscoring the government’s commitment to free, fair and credible elections.
GECOM, the autonomous elections body, has been actively preparing. A national registration exercise concluded on May 30, expected to add thousands of first-time youth voters to the roll. GECOM’s work plan – approved by its commissioners – schedules training for poll staff, testing of biometric verification kits, and a series of public education drives to ensure voters know their polling stations. GECOM Chair Justice (ret’d) Claudette Singh assured that procurement of sensitive materials (ballots, indelible ink, etc.) is on track and that contingency plans are in place for Guyana’s hinterland and riverine communities. “We will be ready to deliver an efficient election on September 1,” a senior GECOM official stated, urging all stakeholders to cooperate.
The President’s announcement immediately shifted the political gears into campaign mode. PPP/C will formally launch its manifesto in the coming weeks, but leaders have hinted at promises of expanded cash grants, more housing projects, and possibly lower personal taxes as oil revenues grow. The party also continues to emphasize its “One Guyana” message of national unity and inclusive growth, contrasting it with what it calls the opposition’s divisive rhetoric. “Vote for development, not race,” as one young PPP supporter in Beterverwagting put it, reflecting a sentiment the ruling party hopes will resonate across ethnic lines.
On the opposition side, Norton’s APNU has hammered the government over rising cost of living and accused it of corruption in oil contracts – issues it plans to amplify on the hustings. However, the opposition’s credibility took a blow with recent defections: in early June, prominent PNCR figures from Region 4 publicly endorsed President Ali’s re-election, and even an opposition Member of Parliament dramatically crossed the floor to support the PPP (an embarrassing scene for Norton’s camp). These fissures give the PPP ammunition to portray their rivals as leaderless and unfit to govern.
With under three months to go, Guyana is bracing for a spirited yet hopefully orderly campaign. The electoral season will coincide with the country’s ongoing term as a member of the UN Security Council and its presidency of that body in June – a reminder of Guyana’s elevated international profile. The Ali administration has pledged a peaceful and transparent election, inviting international observers and promising to accept the people’s verdict. In a region where elections are often hotly contested, all eyes will be on Guyana come September 1. For the Guyanese electorate – swelled by youth voters and energized by their nation’s rapid change – the 2025 polls present a choice of continuity versus change at a time of historic prosperity.
Sources: Office of the President; GECOM releases; Caribbean National Weekly thehabarinetwork.comkaieteurnewsonline.com
