The Alliance for Change (AFC) will now rely on opposition parliamentary parties to represent its interests in the National Assembly, following its poor performance at the 2025 General and Regional Elections, which left it without a single seat in the House.
This was confirmed by AFC Interim Leader, David Patterson. At a press conference on Friday, he acknowledged the party’s results at the polls but stressed that the AFC will take on the “mammoth task” of remaining viable despite being outside of Parliament.
Patterson said that with the elections now over, it is time for the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) to implement reforms based on voters’ experiences and recommendations from international observer missions.
“I think it’s important now that the spotlight should not be moved from GECOM,” he stated.
“For the last five years, the opposition has been calling for biometrics. Earlier this year, the Chairperson, Miss Claudette Singh, indicated that biometrics is not only feasible but also necessary, and the way to go,” he recalled.
With elections concluded, Patterson said the process for introducing biometrics should begin immediately. “There should be no delay,” he added.
He also reminded that GECOM’s Chair had blamed the absence of biometrics in 2025 on time constraints. “In that light, the Alliance for Change will be paying keen attention to Budget 2026, which must include substantial provision to cover the implementation of biometrics in GECOM,” he said.
Since the AFC no longer has a seat to scrutinize government spending, Patterson revealed that the party has already begun engaging parliamentary opposition members.
“We have commenced discussions with them, with the hope and with our support that they can immediately bring a motion demanding that GECOM be funded to implement biometrics,” he said.
He added that the AFC also wants opposition parties to table a motion addressing political campaign financing, a matter flagged by international observers.
According to Patterson, the AFC has already met with Dr. Terrence Campbell, who will lead A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) in Parliament. He stated that the AFC stands ready to collaborate with opposition members so that, with its backing, such motions can be advanced.
