Jagdeo hopes GECOM wary of parties fraudulently putting backers on their lists

General Secretary of the governing People’s Progressive Party Civic (PPP/C), Dr. Bharrat Jagdeo, on Thursday said the Guyana Elections Commission should be wary of parties fraudulently listing citizens as their backers or threatening persons to stop them from backing other parties.

Jagdeo, who is Guyana’s Vice President, spoke at a party press conference on Thursday.

During that press conference, he voiced concerns about individuals and parties who may be engaged in actions that undermine the will of the people ahead of the September 1, 2025, General and Regional Elections.

“GECOM should take firm action against any party threatening people not to go on any party’s list. They should also take action against parties fraudulently putting backers on their list,” Jagdeo said.

Delving into the latter, Jagdeo opined that representatives of some parties may lie to citizens, telling them that they are signing up for sports teams or cash grants, but instead, they are being used as party nominators.

To successfully participate in the elections, parties must submit their symbol for approval and their Lists of Candidates: one National Top-Up List, at least six Geographical Constituencies’ Lists, and the Regional Democratic Councils’ Lists. The National Top-Up list, which identifies the Presidential candidate, must have at least 42 candidates and between 300 and 330 nominators countrywide. Each Geographical Constituency List must have between 150 and 175 nominators from each geographical constituency.

Such unscrupulous actions, Jagdeo said, must not be condoned. And he vowed that the PPP will “pay keen attention” to what unfolds over the next few weeks.