Leader of the People’s National Congress Reform (PNCR), Aubrey Norton, today said that while his party would not be affected by the timeline set for the 2025 General and Regional Elections, he believes the PPP/C government deliberately set the September 1 date to undermine smaller parties. Norton made the comments during a party press conference held earlier today.
In his address marking the country’s 59th Independence Anniversary on May 26th, President Irfaan Ali announced that elections will be held on September 1. Subsequently, the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) confirmed the timeline and revealed that nomination day has been set for July 14, 2025. The commission has already approved the official work plan. GECOM announced that applications for the allocation of election symbols must be submitted by June 22, while a short claims and objections period will run from June 16 to 20.
When asked about the timeline, Norton said his party has been preparing for the elections for the past three years and would not be affected.
“We knew that we had to get signatures, so we were doing our work… and so we are well on target. The timeline wouldn’t affect us, but what we’ll say about the timeline is that the government, again, has shown they cannot be trusted,” the PNCR leader stated.
Norton accused the government of breaching conventions relating to election preparations. “It has narrowed the timelines, I assume, with the aim of getting rid of the small parties. I believe that is the objective. I don’t think they believe we wouldn’t be ready. They know we will be. They know we’re an experienced political party,” he said.
Norton further contended that the PPP/C’s “obsession with certain political actors” was behind the decision to call elections for September, thereby giving parties just under four months to prepare. “They decided that some of them were new, and we ain’t gon give them no time, with the hope of forcing them out of the election. It is the normal wickedness of the People’s Progressive Party,” he added.
Despite his criticisms, Norton reiterated that his party is not worried about the compressed timeline. He said his party’s focus will be on attracting more youths. Norton said the party’s latest polling data shows it has strong support among voters aged 35 and above, and relatively strong support among those aged 25 to 35. However, younger voters remain a challenge.
“We are relatively strong in the 25 to 35. It is the 25 and under we have to focus on in the coming weeks. And may I also say there will be a huge youth component in our party,” Norton stated.
Notably, GECOM is conducting registration to compile the Official List of Electors (OLE). Persons who will be 18 years or older by June 30, 2025 and who have not yet registered can apply during the registration period to be included on the OLE and be eligible to vote on September 1.
At the last elections held in March 2020, the incumbent A Partnership for National Unity + Alliance for Change (APNU+AFC) coalition was defeated. Following months of controversy, the Irfaan Ali-led PPP/C administration was sworn into office in August 2020.
