By| Antonio Dey | HGP Nightly News|
The We Invest in Nationhood (WIN) party has officially declared its intent to contest every local authority area in the upcoming 2026 Local Government Elections (LGE). Speaking at a press conference at Serenity Court, party executive Duarte Hetsberger emphasized a “bottom-up” strategy, focusing on candidates chosen organically by their own communities.
This bold electoral move comes as the party simultaneously pivots to the High Court to resolve what it describes as a “governance crisis” in the Upper Demerara-Berbice region.
The Region 10 “Headless” Administration
WIN is pursuing urgent legal recourse regarding the prolonged failure to appoint a Chairman and Vice Chairman for Region 10.
- The Impasse: Following a tie in the 2025 Regional Elections, the leadership positions in Region 10 remain vacant.
- The Dysfunction: WIN argues that the lack of a Chairman has paralyzed the regional administration. Specifically, a new Regional Tender Board cannot be constituted without a Chairman’s nomination, stalling critical infrastructure and service delivery despite approved budgets.
- The “Headless Animal” Metaphor: Opposition Chief Whip Tabitha Sarabo-Halley likened the current state of Region 10 to a “headless animal,” stating that the administrative vacuum has rendered the regional government dysfunctional.
High Court Challenge to GECOM’s Composition
In a move that could reshape Guyana’s electoral oversight, WIN is also preparing a High Court challenge against the current makeup of the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM).
- The Argument: The party contends that GECOM’s seven-member structure—traditionally split between the PPP/C and the APNU—no longer reflects the political reality of 2026.
- The Goal: With WIN emerging as the primary opposition bloc following the 2025 General Elections, the party is seeking the removal of commissioners aligned with APNU to make room for WIN appointees.
- Credibility at Stake: Sarabo-Halley stressed that fair representation on the commission is a non-negotiable prerequisite for the “credible oversight” of the upcoming LGE.
Strategy: Organic & Community-Driven
Moving away from traditional top-down appointments, Hetsberger noted that WIN’s LGE campaign will be built on:
- Local Aspirations: Candidates will be residents deeply embedded in their constituencies.
- Decentralized Selection: Regional representatives are currently being engaged to finalize lists that reflect “organic” community leadership.
- Institutional Accountability: Coupling the election run with legal battles to ensure that the systems they hope to lead are functional and fair.
