As Guyana prepares for its 2025 general and regional elections, youth voters are emerging as a critical swing bloc. With over 40% of the population under 35 and a significant number of new registrations added to the voters list, political analysts and campaign strategists agree: the country’s young electorate could tip the scales in what may be a closely contested race.
The Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) recently completed a nationwide registration exercise, adding over 18,000 first-time voters to the rolls—one of the largest cohorts of new youth voters in Guyana’s electoral history. With a median age of just 26, Guyana’s electorate is young and growing more politically aware in an era shaped by oil wealth, digital connectivity, and a hunger for tangible change.
A Generation Raised During the Oil Boom
This generation has come of age amidst rapid economic transformation, and is more issue-driven than tethered to traditional party or ethnic loyalties. According to CADRES’ 2024 youth survey, voters aged 18–30 prioritize jobs, cost of living, and education—with over 30% identifying as undecided or independent, a much higher rate than older voters.
“Youth voters could be the kingmakers,” said CADRES analyst Jamal Glasgow, pointing to swing-heavy Region 4 (Demerara-Mahaica) and Region 3 (Essequibo Islands-West Demerara) as potential deciders. “If either party manages to energize turnout just a few percentage points above average, it could prove decisive.”
PPP/C: Betting on Delivery and Digital Appeal
The ruling PPP/C has rolled out a suite of youth-focused initiatives, which it has aggressively promoted online and in rallies:
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GOAL Scholarships: Over 9,000 awarded for 2025, bringing the total to 39,000—nearly double the 20,000 promised in their manifesto.
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Youth Entrepreneurship Program: Offers $120,000 cash grants to student entrepreneurs (60 annually).
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66 community ICT hubs offer free coding and robotics training, already reaching 5,300+ youths.
At a recent youth rally in Linden, President Irfaan Ali declared:
“This election is about your future – digital jobs, modern education, and ensuring oil wealth is invested in you.”
The PPP has leaned heavily into social media to connect with young people. Ali’s TikTok videos, often blending policy with personality—playing cricket, sampling street food—garner thousands of shares. High-gloss content touting new roads, bridges, and youth beneficiaries fills government pages.
APNU+AFC: Emphasizing Accountability and Empowerment
The opposition APNU+AFC is crafting its message around empowerment, equity, and oversight. Leader Aubrey Norton frequently accuses the PPP of economic mismanagement, saying:
“GDP is up, but youth unemployment still stands around 20%. Young people want more than handouts—they want a future they can shape.”
The GYSM (Guyana Youth and Student Movement), APNU’s youth arm, hosts grassroots forums focusing on mental health, housing, and constitutional reform. APNU has also tried to refresh its image by elevating younger voices like 28-year-old lawyer Amanza Walton-Desir, aiming to reconnect with a generation turned off by the 2020 election impasse.
Their digital approach leans on Facebook Live and Twitter Spaces, offering real-time Q&As and unscripted conversations. APNU’s youth messaging, while less resourced, is punchy—often critical, sometimes humorous, always aiming to mobilize via peer-to-peer sharing.
Non-Partisan Groups Mobilize the Middle
Civic groups like the Youth Action Network and VoteLikeABoss are running non-partisan campaigns encouraging participation and policy literacy. “We don’t tell people who to vote for, just why it’s important they do,” said a 24-year-old volunteer. Debates between PPP and APNU youth wings at joint events reflect a new political culture—one where disagreement doesn’t mean division.
Perhaps most telling was a viral quote by 22-year-old Jason October, a resident of PNC-leaning Beterverwagting, who said:
“We’re tired of the race game. We want progress.”
His public endorsement of the PPP drew both attention and criticism, but it speaks to a growing willingness among Afro-Guyanese youth to vote based on performance over party loyalty.
The Road Ahead: Youth-Focused Manifestos and Voter Education
With the official campaign period about to begin, both parties are expected to unveil youth manifestos:
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PPP may expand the national internship program, launch seed funding for startups, or introduce a national innovation fund.
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APNU is considering proposals like a youth parliament, quotas for youth representation, and start-up tax relief.
Both are also expected to promise investments in tech ecosystems—“Silicon Village” style zones, app incubators, or expanded digital literacy programs.
The success of these efforts may depend on youth faith in the electoral process. The recent ROPA amendments and youth-led observer initiatives aim to reassure voters that their ballots will count. Observer groups are even enlisting students as polling monitors in their home communities—a first in Guyana’s electoral history.
Will the Youth Vote Rise?
As Guyana navigates the turbulence of rapid development, its youth are demanding inclusion—not as a token gesture, but as real stakeholders in national decision-making. This election will test which party can best earn their trust and match their ambition.
Will it be the PPP/C, which pitches continuity, digital growth, and empowerment through delivery?
Or the APNU+AFC, which offers disruption, reform, and a chance to rebalance power?
As 18-year-old Aaliyah from Essequibo put it:
“We have big decisions to make. We can decide if Guyana keeps rising or needs a new direction. I’m excited my vote matters.”
Region: National (Youth Demographics Across Regions)
Sources:
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Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) Registration Reports
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CADRES Youth Survey 2024
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Guyana Chronicle – guyanachronicle.com
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Newsroom Guyana – newsroom.gy
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Village Voice News – villagevoicenews.com
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World Bank Youth Labor Data – data.who.int
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Inews Guyana – inewsguyana.com
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Guyana Times – guyanatimesgy.com
