GEORGETOWN – The Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) has given the green light to six political parties to contest the upcoming general and regional elections, following a special meeting of the Commission on Friday.
By legal requirements and statutory timelines following Nomination Day, GECOM approved candidate lists submitted by: A Partnership for National Unity (APNU), Alliance for Change (AFC), Assembly of Liberty and Prosperity (ALP), Forward Guyana Movement (FGM), People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C), and We Invest in Nationhood (WIN).
All six parties will appear on the ballot in the general elections. However, only four — APNU, AFC, PPP/C and WIN — have submitted lists to contest in all ten electoral districts for the regional elections.
The ALP will contest in districts 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 and 10, while FGM will compete in districts 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 and 10. GECOM confirmed that the lists submitted for these districts were approved.
On Nomination Day last Monday, seven parties submitted candidate lists, but only six met all the legal requirements, according to GECOM.
Elections Commissioner Sase Gunraj disclosed on Friday that “the singular list that was not approved was the Horizon and Start List”.
“They were, as reported to us by the Secretariat, several defects on that list. And I believe what was said to us, it did not meet the barest of requirements. That being said, the other six lists, as were presented were approved,” he explained.
GECOM advised that Representatives and Deputy Representatives of the Lists have until July 21 to formally notify the Chief Election Officer in writing of any joinder of lists. The final approved lists will be gazetted and published on July 23. (CMC)
