AFC Accuses GECOM of Bias, Demands Equal Access Ahead of Elections
Tiana Cole| HGP Nightly News
As Guyana’s election season heats up, the Alliance for Change (AFC) is accusing the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) of systematically disadvantaging smaller political parties in the lead-up to the September 1 polls.
At a recent press conference, AFC leader Nigel Hughes slammed GECOM for its refusal to provide hard copies of the Preliminary List of Electors (PLE) to all contesting parties. This practice had been standard in past elections.
“This appears to be a clear attempt to impugn the candidacy of smaller parties,” Hughes said. “Every party, not just the traditional two, has the right to participate on equal footing.”
Hughes also raised concerns about recent changes to electoral forms and GECOM’s overall posture, which he believes favors the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) and the A Partnership for National Unity (APNU)—the two dominant parties.
The AFC highlighted what it called institutional bias, pointing out that Attorney General Anil Nandlall, who is also a PPP/C candidate, was reportedly advising GECOM on electoral matters. Hughes questioned how such involvement could be deemed impartial.
“How can we expect GECOM to be independent when its decisions seem to align with the interests of the ruling party?” Hughes asked.
He also challenged the financial rationale behind GECOM’s decision not to provide hard copies of the PLE, asking:
“In light of the millions allocated to GECOM, what portion of the budget would truly be impacted by printing and distributing these lists to all contesting parties?”
The AFC views GECOM’s refusal as a direct threat to electoral fairness, emphasizing that equal access to key electoral documents is essential for maintaining a free and fair election process.
