Guyana’s largest selling daily & New York’s most popular
Ambassador:‘US will find ways to work around sanctioned officials’
…butwillnotengageinanyfinancial transactionswithMohamed
Mohamed contends 2025 polls neither free nor fair
…dieslaterwhilereceiving treatmentforburns
Biometrics should elections be implemented early for next
-CommonwealthObserver Missionrecommends
Leaders of the We Invest in Nationhood (WIN) and A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) parties have requested recounts in various regions for the 2025 General and Regional Elections.
Both leaders alleged that irregularities perpetrated at the level of the Guyana Elections Commission(GECOM)haveledto theirpurporteddefeatintheregions at the center of contention. They have already made requests for recounts to GECOM in Regions FourandEight.
APNU'spresidentialcandidate, Aubrey Norton said in a live broadcast,thatrequestsweremade toGECOMforrecountsinRegions Four, Seven and Ten. However, GECOM has only acceded to the party'srequestfortherecountofthe ballots cast in the (East Coast Demerara) or Sub-District 4 of District 4 The Elections Commission said it deemed that recountrequestavalidone.
In this regard, the commission said it will conduct the recount on Thursday,September4,2025from 8:00hrs, using a total of 25 workstations.Therecountexercise will proceed uninterrupted until completion.
“In view of the foregoing development, the Chief Election Officer, Mr Vishnu Persaud has written to all political parties
informing of the APNU's request and the need for each party to ensure that at least one accredited agent is present for each workstation,” GECOM said in a release.
Meanwhile, in a live broadcast via the APNU Facebook page, Norton raised contention about whathedeemedasirregularitiesin theGECOMprocedure.
“From the inception, there was contention a padded list will increase the conditions for irregularities.Intheseelections,we are convinced that is the case,” Nortonsaid.
He described the party's defeat in their stronghold regions' as implausible.
TheAPNU leaderexplained,“Wehaveseenin RegionFoursomethingthatisvery implausible that we would drop from 120,000 plus votes to 40 something thousand. It has never happened in any elections in the world.”
HenotedtoothatinRegionTen, the party moved from complete dominationoftheregiontohaving losttheregion.
“This is something we have neverseeninthiscountry,”Norton said.Addedtothis,henotedthatin the count for Region Four, there were unsigned Statements of Polls (SoPs)therewerealsoStatementof Pollsthathadnonumbers.
“We will continue to pursue
these issues. We have spoken with otheroppositionpartiesandsothey areawareofourposition.Wewant to urge that this is not the end. We aregoingtochallengetheseresults until we get to the bottom of how these irregularities and illegalities occur,”heassured.
Similarly, WIN's Presidential candidateAzruddinMohamedsaid thatthepartyhashadnumerousand credible reports of grave irregularities in the conduct of the 2025elections
According to the WIN leader, “Reports of statement of polls going missing, tampering of ballot boxes, and intimidation. We have also made aware of the voting by Bangladeshi, Venezuelans even
though they do not reside in Guyana for the prescribed amount of time. These are grave matters that undermine the pillars of our democracy.”
Mohamed described the electionsasneitherfreenorfair
“Numerically and politically, it is impossible for the PPP to have won in Region Four where they have little or no serious support.” Healsosaidhispollingagentswere offered bribes such as house lots and money to stay away from the pollingstations.
Mohamedsaidthatasresult,his party is seeking recount in a number of regions including RegionEight.
This request was however rejectedbyGECOM.Accordingto WIN, the request was denied because the party representative who submitted the request for recountwasnotproperlyaccredited todoso.
TheWINpartysaiditrejectsthe position taken by GECOM in its letter dated September 3, 2025, which dismisses the request for a recount in District #8 (Potaro–Siparuni).
The party explained that the candidate in question was duly nominatedandofficiallyappointed byitselectionsagenttoserveasthe agentatthecount.
“This appointment is valid (Continuedonpage6)
Forty-Six-year-old Ishwar Singh reportedly stabbed his common-law wife to death on Wednesdaymorningbeforesetting their Lot 22, Second Street Cummings Lodge, East Coast Demerarahomeonfire.
Their daughter, Preeta Singh, age 24, was asleep at the time, but was awakened by her mother's scream just in time to feel the heat fromtheinferno.
Herfatherreportedlydiedlater fromburnsabouthisbody
The dead woman has been identified as 50-year-old Paula Abraham.
Investigators were told that the tragedytookplacearound01:30hrs in the bottom flat of a two-story concreteandwoodenhouse.
The couple's daughter told police that she was awakened by her mother's screams. She said she suddenlyfeltaheatinthehouseand got-upimmediately
Realisingthehousewasonfire, she reportedly opened one of the doors and ran out of the house alerting neighbours and relatives. When they came to her assistance, Preeta said she noticed fire spreading from a burning sofa in thehallwayoftheirhome.
Shortly after, her father
Abraham and her husband Ishwar Singh during happier times. Singh later succumbed to burn injuries after setting their home on fire. The house that was set on fire after the killing
emerged from the burning apartment with burns about his body The Guyana Fire Service (GFS) was called and fire fighters respondedpromptlyandputoutthe fire He was rushed to the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation where he later succumbed while receiving treatment.
His wife was subsequently found lying on her bed motionless with a stab wound to her neck. Her clothes and bed were blood stained. She was pronounced dead at the scene. Quick response by the fire service prevented her body from being burnt or receiving any burn injuries.
Onlypartofthebottomflatwas destroyedbythefireandthetopflat wasdamaged.
Speaking with investigators, the couple's daughter alleged that Ishwar Singh consumes a lot of alcohol and habitually beat and threatenedtokillthevictim.
Meanwhile,MinisterofHuman Services and Social Security,
domestic related
comesoneweek
a
ThePeople'sProgressive PartyCivic(PPP/C)isinthe lead with votes from the General and Regional Elections2025,accordingto the tabulated numbers released by the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM).
OnWednesday,GECOM postedthetabulatedvotedby region to its Facebook page.
In Region One, A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) scraped a meager 469 votes, the Alliance For Change (AFC) managed 35 votes, Forward
‘US
Guyana Movement (FGM) accumulated 75 votes, the PPP/C 9030 and newcomer, We Invest in Nationhood (WIN)5716.
In Region Two, APNU took 1,835, AFC 91, FGM 147, PPP, 1784 and WIN 7400 Region Three saw APNUwith8992,AFCwith 322, the Assembly for Liberty Party (ALP) taking 138,FEGM522,PPP48055 andWIN12969.
Over in Region Four, APNUtook46956,AFCgot 1765,ALP497, FGM 2431, PPP87536 andWIN 41607.
WIN 109,066, APNU 77, 998
Region Five sawAPN U taking 6480, AFC 208, ALP 58, FGM 128, PPP 18432andWIN5816.
Moving on to Region Six, APNU secured 6223, AFC 315, ALP 132, FGM 361, PPP 41320 and WIN 12623. Region Seven saw APNU receiving 983, ALP 415,AFC 59, PPP3577 and WIN5098.
Headedtotheinterior,in Region Eight, APNU received 76, AFC57, PPP
2872 and WIN 2562. In Region Nine, APNU got 450,AFC192,PPP9938and WIN4817.Intheregionthat is home to the mining town ofLinden,Region10APNU got5334,AFC210,ALP85, FGM 662, PPP4260 and WIN10458.
Intotal,thePPPreceived 242,498 votes, WIN received109,066,APNU77, 998, AFC 3610, ALP 969 andFGM4326. The PPP managed to
secure eight out of the 10 regions of Guyana with newcomer WIN close on its heels in most of them Region 10 normally an APNU stronghold was won byWIN.
Unfortunately for the largest opposition party, their support appeared to have declined drastically as not only did they not secure anyregionbutthenumberof votes have significantly declinedfrom2020.
…but
AstheStatementsofPoll reveal the results of the general elections, showing theWeInvestinNationhood (WIN) party, led by U.S.sanctioned Azruddin
Mohamed, making significant gains, United States Ambassador to Guyana, Nicole Theriot, stated that while the U.S. will find ways to work around sanctioned elected officials,itwillnotengagein any financial transactions withMohamed.
Last year, the U.S. Treasury Department's Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) sanctioned Azruddin Mohamed and his father, Nazar Mohamed, accusingthemofdefrauding theGuyanesegovernmentof over US$50 million in taxes through gold smuggling and bribery of public officials. Despite the sanctions, Mohamed entered the presidentialraceinJuneand is now poised to take up the position as Leader of the Opposition after gaining the second highest number of votes.
Speaking to reporters on the sidelines of a European Union Election observation mission press conference on Wednesday, Ambassador Theriot emphasised that while the official results from the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) have not yet been declared, the U.S. has experienced dealing with sanctioned individuals in governments elsewhere. “I do think we have to wait until the final results, the official results
Presidential candidate of WIN Azruddin Mohamed
comeout. ButIcantellyou we'vehadOFAC-sanctioned individualsingovernmentin other places in the world, several in fact and we find ways to work around that… You just have to be creative in ways to work around it,” shesaid.
However, Theriot made itclearthattheU.S.willnot engage directly with Mohamed in any form of financial or transactional activity “We wouldn't be able to work directly with Mr Mohamed in any sort of transaction or financial situation,” she stated. “But we could work with the people, the other parliamentarians, I assume he'llbeinparliamentandthe other parliamentarians and other people on the particular committees that we'redealingwith.” Theriot further added, “So there are ways to work around it, and we will just follow the U.S. law as it prescribes working with OFAC-sanctioned
individuals.”
US investments
On the matter of U.S. investment in Guyana, Theriot noted that the presence of a sanctioned official in Parliament does not change the broader U.S. position on business relations with the country “My message to U S investorshasnotchangedin thetwoyearsI'vebeenhere, and it won't change now. Guyanaisopenforbusiness. Guyana is incredibly supportive and receptive of U.S.companiescominghere and partnering with Guyanese companies,” she said Theriot added that while individual U S companies will need to assess their risk levels and make decisions accordingly, theU.S.government'sroleis to provide information, not todictatewhetherbusinesses should "de-risk" their investments.
“I think we have to wait to see the official results,” she continued. “But I think it's going to be really important for them to take the results, sit down with their board of directors, et cetera, their leadership, and make those decisions. The U.S.governmentdoesn'ttell people whether to de-risk or not. We just provide the informationonwhatdealing with an OFAC sanctioned individual means for their company, and they have to make that decision. And at this point, the U.S. is just saying, in general, come to Guyana.”
Theriot had previously
expressed concern in July about the implications of Mohamed entering government, warning that it could impact U.S.-Guyana relations. At the time, she stated that the U.S. was “veryconcerned”abouthow Mohamed's involvement in government could affect diplomatic dynamics between Washington and Georgetown.
The sanctions placed on the Mohameds, Azruddin and Nazar, also known as “Shell”, as well as their businesses and a senior government official, Mae Thomas, stemmed from whattheU.S.describedasa coordinated and large-scale gold smuggling operation.
United States Ambassador to Guyana, Nicole Theriot
OFAC stated: “Today's action underscores our commitment to holding accountable those who seek to exploit Guyana's underdeveloped gold sector for personal gain ” The sanctionsweretheresultofa broad investigation led by
multiple U S agencies,
Security Investigations (HSI), the Diplomatic Security Service, Customs and Border Protection, the FBI's Miami Field Office, and the Drug Enforcement Administration.
PrintedandPublishedbyNationalMedia& PublishingCompanyLtd. 24SaffonStreet, Charlestown,Georgetown,Guyana.
Publisher:GLENNLALL-Tel:624-6456
Editor-in-Chief:NigelWilliams
Tel: 225-8465, 225-8491. Fax: 225-8473, 226-8210
From the look of things President Irfaan Ali has been givenanewmandateforasecondterminoffice.
HeandhisPPPCGovernmentwillbeginanewterm,but old problems still persist. One of them is the rising cost-ofliving in Guyana. High cost-of-living has been suffocating citizensforoverthreeyearsnow.
The high cost-of-living crisis has become a burden that too many citizens are struggling to bear. Food prices, in particular,continuetoclimbatanalarmingrate,erodingthe purchasingpowerofhouseholdsandforcingmanyfamilies to make painful choices about what they can and cannot afford.Alimustbeacutelyawarethatwhilehisgovernment has offered occasional relief in the form of cash grants and other short-term measures, these are merely band-aid solutions. They provide temporary relief but do nothing to address the structural issues driving food inflation and the overallcost-of-living.
The PPP/C Government has more millions in its hands, butitdoesnotprioritisewhatishelpfultohurtingpeople,but is more about projects, where underhanded activities have drained the nation's coffers, and enrich political operators. Strugglingcitizenshavescantinterestinanotherprojectthat involvescementandsteel,andthemanymillionsthatgointo them, to erect new monuments to our prosperity Whose prosperity,certainlynotthemanycitizenslivinginpoverty, andoftenhungry? Guyaneselearnofmoreloanstaken,and more millions borrowed for building road and educational and health capacity, and they wonder what about the yawning,gnawingcapacityintheirstomachsthatcannotbe half-filledalmostdaily Whyisitwithallthesweetpolitical speeches from leaders that citizens still live at the same standard (perhaps worse) as eight years ago, when the first announcements came about oil discoveries? The statistics saythatGuyaneseareincrediblyrich,yetthereareallthese citizensofGuyanathatstruggletobuygreensandvegetables to put a simple meal on the table for their families. The PPP/C Government, an unequalled master at propaganda, hassaidthatitcares.Thequestionthatcanbeaskediswhat do the Government and its leaders really care about, aside from the self-enriching interests of both. When everything else becomes a distant second, when the struggles of poor and weak and vulnerable citizens amount to more opportunitiesforpoliticalgames,thencareisnotafactor
And so, if there is one area the President Ali's new government must urgently tackle is the high cost-of-living crisis - not with piecemeal interventions, but with a comprehensivestrategy Atthecoreofsuchastrategyshould beaseriouslookatestablishingfairandstablemarketprices forlocallyproducedfood.
Farmers, who are often at the mercy of fluctuating markets and middlemen, need assurance that their efforts willyieldsustainablereturns.Likewise,consumersdeserve accesstoaffordable,nutritious,andlocallygrownfood.
Boosting agriculture production must also be central to the response. Guyana has vast agricultural potential, yet productionlevelsinkeyfooditemsarenotkeepingpacewith demand. Incentivizing local farmers through access to financing, improved infrastructure, modern farming techniques,andguaranteedmarketswouldnotonlystabilise prices but also reduce dependence on imports, which are vulnerabletoglobalshocks.
Beyond agriculture, the government must look at measures that address the broader drivers of inflation. This includes tackling transportation costs, improving supply chain efficiency, and ensuring that policies are in place to curb price gouging. If left unchecked, spiraling costs will onlydeepeninequalityandsocialfrustration.Citizensdonot want handouts that evaporate after a few days of grocery shopping they want long-term solutions that create stability, security, and hope. The government has the opportunity and responsibility to act decisively Doing so willnotonlyeasethepressureonstrugglinghouseholdsbut also strengthen Guyana's economic foundation for years to come.
DearEditor, It is universal human nature to say and do things thatarewrongandthenwant forgiveness So, Anil Nandlall is right to offer an 'unqualified and unreserved' a p o l o g y f o r h i s unacceptable, racist, offensive 'house slave' remarks. But that apology is nottheendofthematter Itis the first step in a process of personal and national reconciliation.
Mr Nandlall did not make his comments as an individual but as the A
campaigning for votes for
PPP/C government. His remarks ought to h
n publicly condemned by his party Their failure to do so is shameful. They must make amends – especially if they will form the next government.
Mr Nandlall did not just insultAfrican-Guyanese.He
violated the spirit of our Constitution which opens with the words “We the Guyanese people Proud heirs of the indomitablewill of our forebears…”. That indomitable will was personified by our national heroCuffywholedthe1763 Slave Rebellion and who preferred death to enslavement. Mr Nandlall's statements have brought shameontheentirenationof Guyana.
Anybody who does not understandthatshouldwash themoral,political,spiritual and intellectual lenses throughwhichtheyviewthe world.
Mr. Nandlall did not just get Guyana's history wrong. Heoverlookedouroriginsin Africa-oneofthecradlesof civilization!Africahasgiven the world the Pyramids the oldest sophisticated structures on Earth and Imhotepthefirstarchitectin history And yes, despite Western propaganda, the
Egyptians were black Africans. Look at the faces ontheirancientmonumental statues My favorite two pharaohs are Thutmose III the Great (c.1479BC) and Amenhotep III the Magnificent (c 1390BC) Their statues are in the British Museum along with Asantegoldjewellery,Benin bronzes and unbelievable quantities of other priceless African art, jewellery, textiles, pottery etc. created overmillenniaandlootedby theBritishinonebrutalburst ofcolonization.
I know that the PPP/C cannotbeartobecorrected.I am aware that people are frightened to speak out for fearofbeingvictimized.
But my dear sisters and brothers there are some thingsthatcannotbeallowed to pass unopposed Our Constitution moves us forward 'in a spirit of reconciliation and cooperation' and charges us to 'Safeguard and build on
the rich heritage, won through tireless struggle, bequeathed us by our forebears.' This is who we are. No politician and no political party is going to changethat.
The PPP/C would do well to remember our Constitution and to draw on the ancient life-enhancing wisdom of our African heritage. I suggest they start with the philosophy of Ubuntu.Iambecauseweare. Maybe then the PPP/C will find a path back to selfrespect and service towards others.
So, let us also treat one anotherwiththecompassion and kindness that is our heritage, no matter what the politicianssay
Regards
Melinda Janki LL B, BCL(Oxon),LL.M Attorney-at-Law; Internationallawyer Winner Commonwealth Law Conference Rule of LawAward
President Ali has historic opportunity to heal nation, eradicate poverty, and usher in the good life for all
DearEditor
The majority of our voters, acknowledging that PresidentAliandthePPPhas accomplished the most of any government in our history, have decided that President Ali deserves a second term to complete the massive developments started in the first term, and to complete the vision of its newmanifesto.PresidentAli now has a historic opportunity to be the President who heals the nation, eradicate poverty, andusherinthegoodlifefor all in this new oil economy. Elections2025hasalsodealt astingingrebuketoboththe PPP and PNC not to take things for granted, with the emergence of the new, inexperienced, “baby” party
WIN (We Invest in Nationhood) which has madeinroadsintothelargely 2-party system. For a party
where the leader was described as someone who cannot string two sentences together, WIN's rise is phenomenal making it the mostsuccessful“thirdforce” party in our political history eclipsing theAFC (Alliance ForChange)whichheldthat title.
Election 2025 can be describedastheelectionthat ended the fortunes of the AFC and started the demise ofthePNC,bothpartiesthat supported the attempted rigging in 2020. The AFC haddiedlongagosincewhen its former leader said it would be “dead meat” if it joined the PNC Coalition in 2015.The2025electionsaw the“cremation”ofthis“dead meat”party Italsoendedthe careersoftheothertwonew “stillborn”partiesformedby former PNC operatives Theirlivesendedbeforethey started as they failed to
attract support. It is not surprising that the PNC was the biggest tragedy of the 2025electionlosingsupport both to the PPP which reached out to its supporters and won Region 4 (the largest region in Guyana), and the new WIN party which snatched Region 10 fromthem–aregionnamed aftertheirlateleaderLinden Forbes Burnham PNC supporters must be hanging theirheadsinshameatwhat the PNC has become. The PNC with a history and penchant for rigging elections and pauperizing the nation, failed to inspire, and failed to change and rebrand itself, when given a lease of life by crossover voters in 2015. It's probably too late now for them to salvage anything. Its MPs and former Ministers abandoned them and were dispersedinthreeofthenew parties contesting the elections.
Foritspart,nowisnotthe timeforthePPPtogloat,not the time for arrogance. It must engage in selfreflection and ask why people gravitated towards thenewbieWIN.Itwasquite clearthe“workingpoor”are concerned about the increasing cost-of-living while base salaries remain low. The new Government must continue the balance between infrastructural projects which improve the quality of life of all people, and also implement “structural” social and economic designs which provide cost of living adjustments (COLAs) for all,especiallytothoseinthe minimumwage,low-income brackets Creating these structurestodealwithahigh costoflivingmusttake
(Continuedonpage6)
DearEditor,
As we await the official declaration of the 1st September 2025 Elections by GECOM I wonder what role social media played in educatingvoters. Inthepast,wehadpeople relying on Government media or Opposition media fortheirnews.
Today,wehaveanumber of news outlets and social media. Meaning that people can now have alternatives sources of information to fact-check.
This is why it is imperative that news outlets balance their reporting such that they are holding everyone involved accountable. The official results has not been announced by GECOMasyet.IfthePPP/C wins,doesthismeanthatthe media will extend a grace period as it would with any other political party winning?
cannot be business as usual. Expect to be held accountable by citizens. Citizensarenotgoingtojust believe what Government media tells them as they can nowusesocialmediatofactcheck as well as the other newsoutlets.
One thing is certain should the PPP/C wins; it
Sincerely
SeanOri
DearEditor, Enthusiastic Guyanese went to the various polling st stations on September 1 to voteforagovernmenttolead this nation for another five
years in a peaceful, prosperous and progressive manner, as a democratic nation, one void of dictatorship From all reports, responses and reviews,itwasatransparent effort from GECOM and a successful exercise noted with only a few minor hiccups.
Is it the aftermath of sorrowandsadness,afterthe 'morning after' the election dayrighthereinGuyanathat the suffering from pain and grief is disturbing some parties, politicians and people to feel disappointed, disheartened and dispirited? When you walk in mud, there is only one way you will come out. Both APNU and AFC have genuine reasons not to gravitate towardsfeelingcomfortable, contentednorcheerful.
There is the feeling that those not mentally lazy would think for themselves andnotallowtheelementof shocktocasttheminamood tofeeldejected,depressedor desolate!
If“yutryating,”thedice rolls in any direction for a luck and chance situation. When you play with fire, be prepared to get burned. Is it already the morning to mourn a miserable melancholyfor theALPand FGM?
The element of surprise canoftengoeitherway
The WIN party has caused many of their competing “colleagues” sitting on the same side of the bench to become agitated, aggravated and
agonized. WIN has some degree of elation to experience an exalted euphoria with excitement. Butallthatglitterisnotgold. Is Win prepared to face the consequences from what it didnotbargainfor,or,hoped to avoid, or, face the music forwhatisinstoreforthem?
The word Santosh has a Sanskrit origin to mean satisfaction. The PPP/C has always been a party consumedwithcontentment.
The threesome team of President Irfaan Ali, Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo and Prime Minister Mark Phillips, are poised happily at this juncture. There is nothing to antagonize the party to become anguished or annoyed. What you sow, soshallyoureap.
President Ali reflected, “It's early in the day, but we did everything to plan a fantasticcampaign.
We ran a very positive campaign; one based on trust, commitment, and unity,” Vice President unreservedlysaid,“Fromthe party'sperspective,wehada good day, and I think the country had a good day.” A couple days ago, Prime Minister Mark Phillips reminded a crowd, “This is all about progress for every Guyanese.
This is the only national partyofGuyana…Whenyou vote for the PPP/C, you are votingforfivemoreyearsof progressanddevelopment.”
Meanwhile, there is no doldrum from the delightful E t h n i c R e l a t i o n s Commission (ERC). From their team of some 200 observers in all the regions, theyweregladtoreportthat, “the electoral process was free, fair, and carried out in anatmospheredevoidoffear
orintimidation.”
President Ali also congratulatedthenation“on the peaceful electoral process held on September 1,duringwhichthousandsof Guyanese exercised their democraticright.”
The Ethnic Relations Commission further appealed to Guyanese saying, “In anticipation of the results from GECOM, theERCcallsonallLeaders of Political Parties to appeal totheirsupporterstoremain calm, respect and avoid actions that would build tensions in our society Let harmony and good relations prevail.”
W h i l e G E C O M committed itself to deliver theresultsoftheGeneraland Regional 2025 Guyana Electionswithintheshortest possibletime,VicePresident Bharrat Jagdeo has also appealedtothenation“tobe patient,” and, “maintain this peacefulposture.”
At the time of writing, it was announced that GECOM has received 61% of the SOP's.APNU/AFC is yet to produce their acclaimed "winning SOP's" from the 2020 Election
Unlike the 2020 Guyana Elections, there will be no “Sh
y Lowenfield, Myers and Mingo to hijack the 2025 elections.”
Yoursrespectfully, JaiLall
DearEditor,
The Guyanese electorate has demonstrated a maturity that indicates that we are evolving. The 2025 Elections was not determined by race as a significantfactor.Ouryoung votersmadethatveryclear.
The incumbent PPP is returned to office with an enhancedmajority
This is thanks to the tirelesshands-onworkofthe President, the meticulous planning of the VicePresident and the production-focused culture of Ministers inspired by goodleadership.
Thefigure27%hasbeen attributed to the proportion of the electorate comprising
first-timevoters.Assuminga further20%oftheelectorate weresecond-timevotersand second-timeeligiblepersons votingforthefirsttime,that would mean 47% of voters being 28 and younger. The realityisthatthemedianage in Guyana is 26 years –meaning that approximately half of all members of the Guyanese population are aged26andunder What has just happened is that young people, more than half of our electorate, voted either for the continuation of structured developmental progress under PPP, or for WIN, optingforaclearbreakfrom a legacy 2-party system that has dogged us since
Independence.
E i t h e r w a y , i t demonstrates very clearly that the youth of today, leaders and stewards of our heritagecometomorrow,are thinking and acting as Guyanese – without regard to race – just voting for policies or other very differentmotivations.
President Ali deserves the endorsement the people have given him – being the best option by far in any event – and he should continue to champion One Guyana,aninitiativethathas subliminally inspired our youngpeople,orsoitseems forreal.
Yourstruly RonaldBostwick.
DearEditor, CRG congratulates the people of Guyana on a peaceful electoral process. We have come a long way, and we have shown the world that the Guyanese people have embraced democracy! CRG also extends congratulations to the new government. May the next five years bring increasedsolidarityandcivil discourse in the House of Parliament and within our neighbourhoods.The results posted show that no individual party has been given an unquestionable
mandate.Instead,theresults reflecttheimportanceofsoft skills and respect for others; the importance of true upliftment over handouts; andthedesireofourcitizens to have a system that works forallregardlessofposition, connections,orability The inclusion of all of our citizens in our planning, especially our differently abledcitizens,shouldnotbe an afterthought, but instead be a standard practice. The election results also reflect the sensitivity around our historyandtheimportanceof our national heroes and
symbols. CRG hopes that duringthenextfiveyearswe will sincerely work together as a nation to continue our commitment towards achieving a nation of one people with one shared destiny People over profit, and quality over quantity mustguideus.
Bestregards, Mr.JamilChanglee
- Region Three 45,000
- Region Four 141,000
- Region Six 49,000 - Region Ten 17,000
For the 2025
G
R e g i o n a l Elections, over 250,000 electors in key districts controlled by the People's Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) and A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) did not turn out to vote at Monday's polls A calculationofthedeclaration ofgeneralelectionresultsby district reveals that of the 757,690 eligible voters on the Official List of Electors (OLE), some 442,550 eligible voters participated in Monday's electoral process. As it relates to RegionsThree,Four,Sixand Ten – electoral districts that areusuallydominatedbythe incumbent PPP and APNU, itwasrevealedthatbetween
those four regions alone, 253,837 electors did not vote.
According to the district declaration form published by the Guyana Election Commission (GECOM), the PPP maintained its hold in District Three (Essequibo Islands/West Demerara) by garnering 48,055 votes of the 71,561 who appeared to vote in that district Newcomer We Invest in Nationhood (WIN) earned 12,969 votes, while APNU got 8,992 votes, Forward Guyana Movement (FGM) got 522 votes, Alliance For Change (AFC) got 322 votes, and Assembly for Liberty and Prosperity (ALP)got138votes. Notably, there were 116,876electorsontheOLE
for this district Of the 71,561 electors who appearedtovote,311ballots were spoiled, 17 destroyed ballots, and 563 rejected ballots, which included ballots without an official mark, unmarked or unclear ballots, and ballots marked formultipleparties.
At the 2020 General and Regional Elections, for District Three, a total of 72,942 persons cast their ballots of 100,758 electors who were on the OLE. At that election, PPP won RegionThree with a totalof 47,855votes.
Historically,thePeople's National Congress/Reform (PNCR), the majority party of the APNU coalition, dominated District Four (Demerara–Mahaica) However, according to district declaration form for thisdistrict,thePPPdefeated APNUforthefirsttime.
District Four is the most populated electoral district with323,436eligiblevoters. However, of that number, only 182,209 voted. PPP received 87,536 votes, APNU came second with 46,956, slightly above WIN with41,607,FGMgot2,431,
Frompage2 under the law and cannot be arbitrarily disregarded. We notewithconcernthatwhile GECOM acknowledges our candidate's accreditation for thecountatMahdiaPrimary School, it now seeks to disqualify her from exercising her lawful role at the wider district level. This contradiction undermines thefairnessandtransparency oftheprocess,”WINsaidin astatement.
Moreover, the party
claimed that when the figures were released on Form 24 for District#8
P o t a r o - S i p a r u n i , discrepancies become apparent.
“The numbers are off, and this only reinforces the urgentneedforafullrecount inDistrictEight. Thepeople of Guyana deserve nothing less than an election that is credible, transparent, and free from arbitrary restrictions on lawful representatives.”
The party claims further thattheseriousirregularities have already come to light.
According to the release, State-aligned Newsroom published the very Form 24 w h i c h e x p o s e d discrepancies in the figures, only to later remove it from theirplatform.
“Thisactofconcealment u n d e r s c o r e s t h e skullduggery at play and deepens public suspicion about the integrity of the process,”thepartyalleges.
Frompage4 priority over the “Santa Claus” approaches of a heavy reliance on cash grants.
The new Government must engage in massive reforms of Government services, eradicate inefficiency in all state agencies and ministries, practice transparency and accountability in all things including freedom of information, revolutionise “customer service” in Government services, and ensure quality assurance in allprojectsandprograms.
The Government must also commit to preserving
ourtraditionalfamilyvalues that marriage can only be between one man and one woman I call on the President to remove and replace all those Ministers who were ineffective and failed to make their Ministries efficient and transformational in their operations.
In a “Management by Results” approach, the new Cabinet Ministers must be given annual targets and if they fail, replace them promptly. Guyana cannot wait;thepeoplecannotwait.
Introduce new rules prohibiting Ministers from engaging in side businesses
AFC with 1,765 and ALP with497votes.
Of the 182,209, 743 ballots were spoiled, 76 destroyed and 1,417 were rejected which includes ballots without an official mark, unmarked or unclear ballots, and ballots marked formultipleparties.
Further, the declared results for District Six (East Berbice-Corentyne), show that 61,624 of the 111,554 electors on the OLE cast their ballots. PPP secured 41,320votesmaintainingits holdontheregion.WINgot 12,623 votes, APNU received 6,223 votes, FGM got 361, AFC received 315
votesandALPgot132votes.
Notably,ofthe61,624votes, 466 ballots were spoiled, 26 destroyedand650rejected.
In District Ten (Upper Demerara/ Upper Berbice), APNUwasdethronedinthis region by newcomer WIN.
Ofthe38,460electorsonthe OLE for Region Ten, only 21,195voted.WINreceived
the most votes with 10,458, APNUwith5,334,PPPwith 4,260, FGM with 662,AFC with 210 and ALP with 85. Notably, of the 21,195 ballots cast, 186 were rejected, 8 were destroyed and91werespoiled.
Below is the breakdown of eligible voters by district and those who voted:
sotheymayfocusonserving our citizens with undivided attention.
Therewasaloudcrythat wehaveoilbutsomepeople arestillpoor I still have hope that all the parties in parliament would have a common n a t i o n a l g o a l o f renegotiatingtheoilcontract sowemaysecurealargeroil incometoimpactthelivesof ourcitizenssowemayenjoy our oil blessings now! Over to you President Ali. Congratulations on your reelection!
Sincerely,
Dr JerryJailall CivilSocietyAdvocate
The Private Sector Commission (PSC) andtheGeorgetownChamberofCommerce and Industry (GCCI) have commended Guyanese for what the organisations described as “one of the most efficient and peaceful elections our nation has ever experienced.”
InapressreleaseonWednesday,thePSC also commended the Guyana Elections Commission for the efficiency, accuracy, andtransparencywithwhichtheprocesswas managed.
“The timely posting of results and information online for the public to view in real time has set a strong standard for opennessandaccountability,”thePSCsaid. AccordingtothePSC,throughouttheentire electionsperiod,bothinternationalandlocal observermissionsconsistentlyreportedthat the process went smoothly and without incident.“Observersalsowitnessedthatthe majority of polling stations had representatives from the PPP, APNU, and WIN.
The professionalism and diligence shown by these party agents, while representing their respective interests, was phenomenal and contributed to the smooth conduct of voting and counting.” “We take this opportunity to commend the people of Guyana for the maturity and patience
demonstrated throughout the electoral process, as well as the political leaders for exercising responsibility, leadership, and respectfortheruleoflaw Together,wehave showntheworldthatdemocracyinGuyana is strong and secure,” the PSC statement concluded.
Fortheirpart,theGeorgetownChamber of Commerce and Industry (GCCI) also commended Guyana's electorate on a peaceful, free, fair, and transparent polling day, “that displayed maturity and stability duringthiscrucialdemocraticprocess.”
The Chamber also applauded GECOM for the execution of an efficient procedure that was without disruptions to the voting process. “However, the GCCI calls on GECOM to implement systems that allow people living with disabilities to comfortably access polling stations and exercise their constitutional franchise,” the statementread.
The GCCI also urges GECOM to undertakeastrongerandmoretargetedvoter education programme to ensure that all segments of the population are wellinformedonhowtocasttheirballots.Asthe countryawaitsthedeclarationofresults,the Chamber re-emphasises its call for timely and credible results, and a peaceful conclusiontoGRE2025.
The European Union
Election Observation Mission (EU EOM), in its preliminary report released onWednesday, cited several irregularities in Guyana's electoralprocess,statingthat the undue advantages of incumbency created an uneven playing field during thecampaignperiod.
While the EU EOM acknowledged that the campaign was inclusive and competitive, with six political parties registered nationwideandfundamental
freedoms largely respected, it raised serious concerns about the ruling party's use of State resources for politicalgain.
According to the mission, since President
Irfaan Ali, also the presidentialcandidateforthe People's Progressive
Party/Civic (PPP/C), announced the election date on September 1, the administration rapidly commissioned a series of public projects These included hospitals, schools,
roads,andbridges,aswellas multiple social support initiatives,allofwhichwere heavily promoted and integrated into the PPP/C's campaign activities “An und
f incumbency distorted the playing field during the election campaign,” the reportstated.“ThePresident and his administration inaugurated a high number of public projects and launched several social
s, combiningtheseeventswith
Leader of the We
(WIN) party, Azruddin Mohamed on Wednesday raised condemnation over the 2025 elections, arguing thattheywerenotfreeorfair
Inarecordedmessageon Facebook following the release by GECOM of results from the 10 electoral districts,thepartyleadersaid his team has received credible reports of grave irregularities in the conduct oftheelections.
“My fellow Guyanese citizens,wehavearrivedata criticalpointinthehistoryof ournation.
Withinthepastfewdays, we have had numerous and credible reports of grave irregularities in the conduct of these 2025 elections Reportsofstatementofpolls going missing, tampering with ballot boxes and wholesale victimisation havereachedusfromacross thenation.
We have also been made aware of the voting by Bangladeshis, Indians and Venezuelans even thoughtheydonotresidein Guyana for the prescribed amount of time,” he explained
Mohamed noted that these are grave matters that undermine the pillars of the country'sdemocracy
He related that his party hasseensuspiciousactivities inthepollingplacesandhas s e e n “ p o l i t i c a l manipulation” of such a scaleastobeoverlooked.
“Let us be blunt, these electionswereneitherfreeor fair, numerically and
politically, it is impossible for the PPP to have won in Region Four, where they have little or no serious support. The use of State powerandtaxpayers'money in propping up their campaignisabetrayalofthe Guyanese people,” he expressed.
According to him, while his party has requested a recount in votes, no matter the results, WIN's aim and mission remain the same, and that is to “never abandon, neglect or disrespectyoutheGuyanese people.”
“ W i t h a l l t h e victimisation, political harassment, intimidation of myself and my candidates and also my supporters, we in the WIN party, a 90-day old movement, have shaken the pillars of Guyana's politicalestablishment.
We have proven to this nation and the world that there is such a thing as change and that the Guyanese are willing to rise above fear and tyranny,” he saidinhismessage. The party leader stated thatthenumbersofvoteshis
Chief Observer of European Union Election Observation
campaign activities. At the same time, State media and government-run social media accounts were instrumentalised to amplify campaign messages, further blurring the line between Stateandparty.”
colours and symbols. The mission noted that events often featured campaign speeches urging voters to support the ruling party Additionally, EU EOM stated that it observed that t
receiving unsolicited phone calls encouraging them to vote for the PPP/C, raising concernsaboutthemisuseof personal data. The mission highlighted that several social programmes were l
partyreceivedreflectagroup of people who are tired, frustrated and pleading for betterment.
A d d r e s s i n g h i s movement, candidates, and supporters, Mohamed expressed, “I wish to thank you for your dedication, p e r s e v e r a n c e a n d steadfastness You stood besidemeandyoufoughtfor the WIN movement even when your hands were tied due to victimisation and for that I will be eternally grateful.”
He continued, “I am sorry we did not receive the expectedresults,butyouthe peopleknowasmuchasIdo, that it is never an easy fight when the playing field is titled by those who resort to m a n i p u l a t i o n a n d dishonesty.”
Mohamed further told his supporters not to lose hopeandthattheywillnotbe silencednorwilltheyretreat.
He said the WIN party will continue to be their voice and will ensure that their voices be heard loud andclear
“We will fight for the care, respect, justice and integrity which each Guyanese man, woman and childisentitledto.
This is not the end; our movement is stronger than everbefore.
Together the WIN movement will ensure that our democracy is not hijacked, ballots are not bought, people are not manipulated and where every citizen has an equal chanceforabetterfuture,we willmakesureofit,”hesaid onWednesday
Expanding on the concern over incumbency advantage,theEUobservers noted that most of the inauguration events were dominated by PPP/C supporters dressed in party
campaign period began, including an announcement on August 10 of mass promotions and bonuses for over2,800policeofficers,to which the mission stated, “the timing of which raised concerns.”
The report also pointed to instances of direct pressure on civil servants and part-time government
employees, including cases of demotions and transfers following expressions of supportforWINcandidates.
“In this context, EU EOM observersreceivedreportsof voters refraining from openly supporting opposition parties fearing negative repercussions such asthelossofemploymentor social benefits. Campaign financeislargely (Continuedonpage16)
Presidential candidate for the A Partnership for National Unity (APNU)
Aubrey Norton is contending that it is highly “implausible” that his party would have such a drastic reductioninvotesforRegion Four (Demerara-Mahaica) and Region Ten (Upper Demerara/UpperBerbice)at the 2025 General and RegionalElections.
All of the Statements of Poll (SOPs) have been publishedforthetendistricts by the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) The declarations show that thatthePeople'sProgressive Party/Civic(PPP/C)issetto secure a second term in office. It also shows that 315,140 eligible electors of the 757,690 on the Official List of Electors (OLE) did not participate in this year's election.
TheresultsshowthePPP securing its first ever win in Region Four defeating APNU, and maintaining its hold on Regions One, Two, Three, Six, and Nine. The party also secured the most votes in Regions Five and Eight. Notably, the results show that newcomer We InvestinNationhood(WIN) has beatenAPNU in Region Ten.ForDistrictFourwhich is the most populated electoral district with 323,436eligiblevoters,only 182,209 electors voted. Of that number, the PPP
received 87,536 votes, APNU came second with 46,956 slightly above WIN with 41,607, and Forward Guyana Movement (FGM) got 2,431, Alliance For Change (AFC) with 1,765 and Assembly for Liberty and Prosperity (ALP) with 497votes.
“From the inception, we contended that a padded list will create conditions for illegalitiesintheseelections. We are convinced that is the case.WehaveseeninRegion Four, something very implausible, that we will drop from 120,000 plus votes to 40 something (thousand) It has never happened…” Norton said in a video shared on APNU's FacebookpageonTuesday Similarly, Norton expressed disbelief that his party would move from “complete domination” in RegionTentolosingtoWIN. Notably, WIN also secured thevictoryinRegionSeven. “Something we have never seeninthiscountry,”hesaid. Notably, in District Ten APNUwasdethronedinthis region by WIN Of the 38,460 electors on the OLE for RegionTen, only 21,195 voted. WIN received the most votes with 10,458, APNUwith5,334,PPPwith 4,260, FGM with 662, AFC with 210 and ALP with 85. Notably, of the 21,195 ballots cast, 186 were rejected, 8 were destroyed
and91werespoiled. APNU's presidential candidate noted that during the count for Region Four, the party objected to several unsigned SoPs. “There were also statements of poll that had no numbers. Of course, we objected We also recognise that there are many Commonwealth citizenswhovotedthatdidn't meet the domicile criteria. All of these we believe would have contributed to ourconclusionthatthereare alotofirregularitiesinthese elections,” he noted. As a result of the irregularities, Norton said that APNU has requested recounts in Regions Four, Seven and Ten.“Wewanttourgeyouto stay focused. We want to urgeyouthatitisnottheend. We are going to challenge these results until we get to the bottom of how these irregularities and illegalities occur.”
There is a peculiar c o m f o r t i n numbers.Theylie before us arranged neatly, each one solid, hard, irrefutable.Yetinpolitics,as inlife,numbersarerarelyas finalastheylook.
The preliminary tallies from the statements of polls of Guyana’s 2025 general elections, still wearing the dustofcountingstationsand thefaintanxietyofofficials, have already been taken up bythepublicmindandputto work, like so many mules drawing a cart. These tallies are unofficial, yes, but they whispertheshapeofwhatis tocome.
By my reckoning, the People’s Progressive Party/Civic is poised to take 36 of the 65 seats in the National Assembly The WIN—the upstart with an acronym that carries more optimism than modesty will claim 16 A chastened APNU, whose history in Guyanese politics is longer thantheroadsthatcrisscross thecoastland,isassigned12. The Forward Guyana Movement, a sprout in the political garden, emerges with1.
Numbers, again: 36, 16, 12,1.Togethertheydescribe thefullcastofparliamentary life for the next five years. Buttheyalsotracethelimits of ambition. The PPPC had aimed, loudly and publicly, for45seats.Itends,instead, with36,justenoughtoholda majority, but not the emphatic majority it had rehearsed on the campaign trail. In politics, this is the
difference between striding andtiptoeing.Agovernment with 45 seats may bend the chamber to its will with the self-assurance of a headmaster enforcing discipline.
A government with 36, stillhasaworkablemajority but must keep an eye of absenteeism – one man said quite recklessly that he may nowgotoparliamentalittle moreoftenasifheoughtnot to be reducing his absenteeism.
A government with a smallmajoritymustkeepan ear tuned to the hallway, attentive to dissent careful that no one in its own ranks hastakenillortakenoffence. Numbers,likenature,havea way of reducing human pomp to practical concerns: a majority is a majority, but thearithmeticof36contains remindersofvulnerability
FortheWIN,thestoryis different.Sixteenseats!Inan Assembly of 65, that is a minor triumph, and in Guyanese politics, where new parties are often blown out to sea before their sails are unfurled, it is almost miraculous.
It is enough to give the WIN the office of Leader of theOpposition.Therewillbe no frustrating this claim, no arithmetic sleight of hand to deny it. With 16, the WIN stands tall in the chamber, even as it sits opposite the governingbenches.
It is worth noting that APNU,oncethesturdyrival to the PPPC, has now been reduced to 12 seats. It is the numberofpersonsthatshow
upforthecricketmatchwith just enough to field a team the field. Their voice will echo in the debates; but the day when APNU could speak as the singular alternative has passed into history,orintomemory.One wonders if memory will be kind. And then, there is the FGM, with its solitary seat. Oneisalonelynumber,butit isalsoanhistoricone.
A lone legislator can, in therightcircumstances,hold the attention of a nation. More likely, he or she will hold the floor for a few minutes at a time, speaking bravely into the chamber’s indifference.
Yetasingleseatisalsoa foothold, and footholds are howmountainsareclimbed. Ifthereisironyhere,itisthat Guyana, after so much passion in its campaigns, after weeks of rallies and promises, arrives at an outcome that is both stable and unspectacular The PPPC governs, the WIN opposes,theAPNUrecedes, the FGM appears The Assembly is full; the arithmeticworks.
Still, we should remember the numbers that these allocations are based on are preliminary Based onthefinaldeclaration,they may shift slightly But the outlinesofthedistributionof seats in the National Assembly are clear enough. Guyana is entering a season in which majorities will govern with caution, oppositions will dream of wider benches, and citizens will measure promises
Alloverdeworld,andevenright here in de Caribbean, when politician lose election, dem doespickupdephone,calldewinner,and say,“Congratulations,buddy,bestofluck.” Simple-simplething.
ButinGuyana?Bai,thatisscarcerthan waterindeSahara.
Demboysseh,concedinginGuyanais likeseeingamancatchafishinatrenchat highnoon—possibleintheory,butyougon deadwaiting.
Every time election done, we does sit downhopingfuhseelilgrace,lildignity,lil class but instead we does get silence, sulking,andside-eye.
LookhowJamaica,Trinidad,Barbados does do it. De loser call, de winner smile, everybody clap, and life move on. In Guyana? De loser more sour than green tambrind.
Demboysseh,ispridebeforeprinciple everysingletime.Concessionisdemissing
against the arithmetic of 36, 16,12,and1.Democracy,in its bluntest form, is a matter ofcounting.Butinitsrichest form, it is a matter of living with the results. So, the PPPC, with its 36, must govern. The WIN, with its 16,mustoppose.TheAPNU, withits12,mustreckonwith loss. The FGM, with its 1,
must imagine itself larger
And the people of Guyana, with their many voices distilled into these few numbers, must remind themselvesthatinpolitics,as in arithmetic, it is not only the totals that matter but the storiestheyconceal.
(The views expressed in this article are those of the
opinionsofthisnewspaper.)
linktocivilpoliticsindiscountry Imagine howsweetitwouldasound:“Congrats,my brother,mayyouservedepeoplewell.”But no, Guyana politicians prefer to eat crow stew in private than swallow one bite of humblepieinpublic.
Dem boys was hoping dis election gonbedifferent.
Dem boys seh, maybe dis time somebodygonsurprisewe,breakdecurse, mash down de wall of spite. But bai, disappointment again. Not a ring, not a ding, not even a text message saying “Blessings.”
So long as bitterness running de show, that concession call gon remain elusive like rain in de middle of a blazing dryseason.
And de people of Guyana gon continuefuhliveinhopethatoneday,just oneday,oneahdemgonfinallyputcountry beforeegoanddialdeblastednumber Talkhalf Leffhalf
Wh a t a difference a day makes In the instance of Guyana and its 2025 elections, it wasn't even 24 little hours, butless. Literally.
Guyanesegotupwithall
manner of different expectations, many with apprehensions, about what thatday(yesterday,Tuesday, September 2) and the next several days would bring. And,inthetwinkleofaneye, all was well. The morning clouds rolled by, and it was all sunshine before the twilightarrivedtoannounce itssilkyvelvetpresence.
At the beginning of Tuesday, the day after the mostcrucialelectionsinthis country,itwasgrey Forthe PPP Itserstwhileleader,Dr BharratJagdeo,spokeoflow turnout, and the usual PNC
fearmongering that contributed. Hewasnothis usual self: confident,
sweeping, taking no prisoners. His overnight prioritywastryingtoekeout themostvotestohangonto
the presidency The real story, or a nice acting job, was the question I asked myself. During the day, the man from WIN, Mr Azruddin Mohamed was talkingofthechancethathe had to that same coveted presidency. Say what? By then, it was common knowledge, from GECOM to whomever else, that the AFC was DOAand that the PNC was on the ropes
Things were that gloomy all around,otherthaninthePPP andWIN camps. And then, the miracle Yes, the miracle.
Beforethedaycouldsay goodbye to Guyanese, all was well. The PPP did a miraculous recovery, i e , from sickbed to a bed of roses. It was scampering aroundfrompillartopostto pick up numbers in a low t u r n o u t e l e c t o r a l environment, and then there was that sudden surge of numbers. A tsunami of numbers. The PPP literally blew away Guyanese (and the competition) with an
avalanche of numbers that bubbled to the surface in its strongholds. Low turnout, what low turnout, folks? First, therewas a drought of votes, then there was a deluge that would have left even the Biblical Noah proud (or reeling in shock). Think of this as Jagdeo's electoral mathematical wizardry
Iamablessedman. Ihad some of those miraculous experiencesinAmericathatI thought were possible only inAmerica. ThenIcameto Guyana, and the miracle repeated itself on Tuesday, September 2, 2025. I am tempted to say that the PPP benefited from an only in Guyana miracle, and through divine intervention, then thought better of it. Thank God for Bharrat Jagdeo. Congratulations, sir I have a good idea of how he pulled that one off, moving from a famine of numbers to a feast of them. Again, all I am saying is simply:welldone,sir
In this furious,
The Commonwealth observer mission and the CarterCenteronWednesday raised concerns about complaints regarding the lack of access to public information and made recommendationstoaddress thesituation.
During separate media briefings during which they released preliminary reports
of their elections observations so far, the Commonwealth mission noted that it is concerned with the allegations of dissatisfaction with the lack
of access to public information, which includes from the Office of the C o m m i s s i o n e r o f Information.
“We recommend adequate resourcing and empowerment of a mechanism to efficiently respond to public
information requests that will promote public t
n c y a n d accountability around elections,” Commonwealth chair Fekitamoeloa Katoa Utoikamanusaid.
The Carter Center in its preliminary report said that access to information is a critical means of ensuring thatthereisinformedpublic participation, accountability andtransparency “Elections conducted in the absence of adequate public access to information, including key elements of the electoral process, undermine their integrity A well-informed electorate is essential to any electoral process and is a fundamental building block ofameaningfuldemocracy,” thecentrestated.
In its Aug 19 preelection statement, the Carter Center had noted
several shortcomings that undermine public access to e l e c t i o n - r e l e v a n t information, such as the failuretopublishthecensus, theabsenceofcampaignand party finance data, limited information around GECOM decision-making, andobstaclesfacedbysome mediaoutletsandcitizensin o b t a i n i n g p u b l i c information Additionally, the U N Human Rights Committee, in its May 2024 report, noted concerns that the commissioner of information does not respond to all requests and urged Guyana to ensure that the right of access to information is effectively exercised.
In its elections manifesto, the PPP/C had promised improvement in the of access to public information.
thunderous, glorious PPP gallop of numbers (votes), the AFC got trampled unconscious, and the PNC gotkickedinthehead. May itrecover. IwishMr.Aubrey Norton well; his was a poisonedchalicetoswallow. Jesushadonebetrayerinhis gang; Aubrey Norton had a multitudeofthem. Henever stood a chance, was never givenachance. Thenagain, t h r o u g h h i s o w n weaknesses, he didn't give himself a chance to be a champion. Now, it is the moment of two men. Two Muslimleadersinaminority Muslim country, another miracle. To those former best friends, now sworn enemies, all the best in the years ahead. As an aside, I encourage citizens not to worry, for in this Age of Guyanese Miracles, the presentenmitywillsortitself out, sleep sweetly soon enough. How I love this country, and the revelations that upstairs gives to a poor
boyfromnowhere.
The two Mohameds will bethetalkofthetown,kings of the Amazon. But my money is on the numbers man, Dr, Bharrat “Miracle worker” Jagdeo. If anyone isexpectingmetogobeyond that bit of electoral mathematical wizardry, I must disappoint. Not one wordaboutnumberssleightof-hand. I will not rain on thePPP'sandWIN'sparade.
But I must say that Dr Jagdeo is the king of kings. Ballot boxes in 2020, and sweet, juicy numbers in 2025. Catchme,ifyoucan.
Last, two mischievous thoughtsstirred,andbecause I find them inspirational, I share Imagine a government of the two winners. Guyanese could havethesplendidtagteamof WIN-PPPorPPP-WIN. Aw shucks, how can Guyanese l o s e w i t h s u c h a combination? The second thoughtisthisone:nowthat Mr Azruddin Mohamed is
poised to betheLeaderof the Opposition in Guyana, he poses a concern, better make that challenge, for US Ambassador to Guyana, Excellency Nicole D Theriot.
There's Thanksgiving Day in November and ChristmasDayinDecember What happens when the ambassador has an official function to celebrate those twooccasions,oranyother? For there it is, a USsanctioned individual at her official residence. That is, unless Mr Mohamed, Guyana's new Opposition Leader, is not invited due to his special status Sometimes, I am too clever byhalf. Iknow,butIcan'tlet brotherBharratJagdeohave all the fun and frolic. (The views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinionsofthisnewspaper.)
The man abducted a l o n g w i t h Guyanese boat
captain Frederick Pollard by aVenezuelanGang,hasbeen identified as a 22-year-old Venezuelan father of three who resides at Eteringbang, CuyuniRiver,RegionSeven.
Kaieteur News learntthat Antonio José Bolivar better known as “Pancho” was identified after his mother began searching for him. After learning that he was oneofthetwomenabducted by the armed gang, she reachedouttopress.
“IamhismotherandIam beggingthepeoplewhohave him to please contact me here.Iwouldliketoknowif my son is ok”, she pleaded whileaddingthathewasjust apassengerontheboat.
K a i e t e u r N e w s understandsthatBolivarwas travelling to Devil Hole, Cuyuni River in search of work.
“Please he is not a bad boy, everyone knows him here (Eteringbang), he is a father of three kids and was getting drop (to Devil Hole)”,shesaid
M e a n w h i l e , negotiations continue for the safe release of the Guyanese boat Captain
Abducted along with Pollard, Venezuelan father of three, Antonio José Bolivar better known as “Pancho”.
Pollard but there has been nowordonthewellbeingof “Pancho”
Twelve days have passed since they were both abducted in the Cuyuni River
The latest update
Kaieteur News receivedwas that the abductors had allowed the Guyanese boat captaintomakecontactwith hislovedones He reportedly notified them that he is alive and well Pollard and “Pancho” were last seen on Sunday August 24, 2025, held captive in Botanamo Creek, a mining area located on Venezuela'sShorealongthe
Still abducted, Guyanese boat captain, Frederick Pollard
Despite the risks and dangers, Pollard's family members and friends had gone to the location to see if he was still there but when theyarrived,theyonlyfound his boat and some of his personal belongings in the vessel.
Family members returned home still worried about his wellbeing and whereabouts.
They later learnt that the abductors had taken him to another location in Venezuela.
TheGuyanaPoliceForce (GPF) had released a statement that it was investigating the matter, but provided no further updates sincethen.
The Commonwealth observermissionofthe2025 General and Regional
Elections said has recommended that the G u y a n a E l e c t i o n s Commission (GECOM) adopt biometric technology early for the next election cycle.
At a press conference held on Wednesday at the Aiden by Best Western Hotel,themissionpresented its interim report on the observationsmadepriorand duringthe2025elections,as the final report will not be ready for approximately anotherthreemonths.
Chairman, Fekitamoeloa Katoa Utoikamanu, said the group has noted that in responsetocomplaintsabout the non-adoption of biometric verification technology, which could assist with voter identity, GECOMhassaiditisfacing “technical, legislative, and administrative challenges”. She claimed that these challengeshaverenderedthe commission unable to e m p l o y b i o m e t r i c verification for voters in the 2025elections.
In this regard she advised, “We recommend thatearlyinthenewelection cycle,considerationbeagain given to the adoption of this technology.”
The chair highlighted that the data from the 2022 censusisyettobepublished and some stakeholders have suggested that the availability of this data may have contributed to improving perceptions of transparency in the electoral system.
“ T h e g r o u p i s encouragedbytheeffortsby GECOMinthelastmonthto improve its communication, supportedalsobytheUNDP andothers,andrecommends further strengthening its engagement with all stakeholders,” Utoikamanu said.
There have been several complaints from new politicalpartiesofwhatthey perceived to be delays or refusalofpermissiontohost campaign events outside of Georgetown.Thegroupwas also informed of allegations of intimidation of “public sector workers, local business owners, members of civil society groups, and community members who reportedly fear losing employment or economic opportunities if they fail to demonstrate support for a
particularparty.”
Also, in the interim report, the observers noted that while coverage was provided across the various forms of media available in Guyana;therewereconcerns r e g a r d i n g t h e disproportionatecoverageof the governing party by the state media. In an effort to remedy this situation for future elections, they are recommending that legislationbeputinplaceto provide equitable access for all candidates and political partiesforallmedia.
“We also note with concern that some members of the private media reportedly self-censored for fear of victimisation. Both political parties leveraged social media platforms. The group was informed that the demo parties, at times with limited access to some traditional media, depended heavily on online campaigns,” Utoikamanu said.
To remedy this, the d e l e g a t i o n h a s recommendedthatmeasures be taken to foster greater inclusion as well as support for smaller parties, and the new-comers to enable them to have better participation in the electoral process While it acknowledges the adoption of a media code of conduct being used in past elections, to foster good media practices, the Commonwealth delegation is recommending that relevant media stakeholders be consulted to draft future consultations.
Additionally, it was also recommended that GECOM hasmoreregularinteractions withthemedia.
The mission also raised concerns about the alleged use of state resources for elections campaign The group also found that Guyana's campaign financing rules are outdated and unenforced. This led to the recommendation for reform of the rules of campaign financing to promote fairness, transparency, and accountability
Reflecting on its observation of the proceedings on and before elections day, the mission relayed that it was a rela
ful atmosphere Polling staff largely adhered to the stipulated procedures, with the inclusion of showing empty ballot boxes to the
party agents and observers before the opening of the polls.
“ T h e g e n e r a l environment of the election day was peaceful, with pollinggenerallyopeningon time. Though polling procedures were largely respected, in some cases t h
inconsistencies in their application by polling staff.
The group commends GECOM for providing an information desk, materials, and signage in and around
Members of the head table during the press conference.
effective in guiding voters,” thechairreported.
H o w e v e r , i t i s recommended that there be greater consistency in the education of signage across thepollingstationsincluding tho
identification of polling staff.
“We found that in general,thepublicdisplayed a good understanding of the electoralprocessandthatthe presiding officers clearly explained procedures as required. GECOM staff and polling staff were courteous and hospitable,” the chair added.
The staff was described as professional, diligent and courteousinmanagingcases of challenges with valid reconciliation. The procedures for conducting thecountensuredtrustinthe process and the staff as well as agents were allowed to vote,shesaid.
A 28-year-old man was arrested on Wednesday for breaking into and vandalising a woman's home at Number 19 Village, Corentyne Berbice, RegionSix.
The victim, Helen Kashi, 54, told police that the accused verbally abused her and threatened to burn her house down on Tuesday night because she supported the Azruddin Mohamed led, “We Invest In Nationhood (WIN) political party
Police identified the suspect as Rameshwat Ramdat called Kevin and said the incident took place around 19:00hrs on Tuesday
The woman claimed that she was at her mother's home when the suspect, dressed in a political party's colours, turned up and verbally abused her for supportingWIN.
She further alleged that the man, who was accompanied by some other persons, even threatened to burn her house down.
Fearful, Kashi stated that she did not go home, but spent the nightathermother'shome.
The following day around 07:00hrs. (Wednesday) she went to her home only to find it ransacked and her clothes and otherbelongingsthrownoutside.
A gold chain valued $22,000 and $23,000 in cash were also missing from her home A makeshift tabled attached to her homewasalsopartiallyscorched. Investigationsareongoing.
The 9MM pistol which Casell Nurse threw away when police showed up
A 28-year-old contractor isnowinpolicecustodyafter he was nabbed with a loaded illegal gun in the vicinity of D'Urban B
CasellNurse,aresidentof Freeman Street, East La Penitence, Georgetown reportedly threw the gun on the ground when ranks on mobile patrol duty pulled up on a group of men congregating next to a shop on the evening of September 1
“The ranks approached a male in the group who was wearing a white jersey and blue short pants”, police stated in a press release, adding, “as they were about fivefeetawayfromhim,they observed that he retrieved a handgun from his pants waistline and threw it on the g
Arrested for illegal possession of a firearm Casell Nurse
s immediately took possession oftheweapon-a9MMpistol. The gun, according to the police, was loaded with 15 live matching rounds of a m m u n i t i o n Policeaskedhimifhehad a firearm licence to carry the weapon and when he respondedinthenegative,he w a s a r r e s t e d He remains in police c u s t o d y
The Carter Center Observer Mission on Wednesday released its preliminary findings on Guyana's General and Regional Elections, urging the incoming government to implement reforms aimed at fostering a more equitable electoral process and restoring public confidence
in Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) and thecountry'sdemocracy
Among the Center's key recommendations are: constitutional reforms, c a m p a i g n f i n a n c e regulations, and structural changestoGECOM.
D u r i n g a p r e s s conference held at the PegasusSuites,JasonCarter, head of the Carter Center Mission, emphasised the urgent need for systemic reforminGuyana.“Wehave calledforyearsonGuyana's leaders, in this new government and parliament, whomever, they may be to continue the crucial
discussions around constitutional reforms to implement campaign finance reform, it is especially important to ensure there is equal access to public information about the contracts that are about the things that affect people intheirdailylives,andthisis
crucial issue between elections.”
He said, “elections are really a report card on democracy Theyarenotthe democracyitself.Thereisso much that occurs between elections that would be cruciallyimportant,”hesaid. The Center commended the previousparliament'sefforts to establish a Constitutional Reform Commission (CRC)
and urged the new government to allow the commission to resume its workimmediately
The Carter Center encouraged commissioners toengagemeaningfullywith the Guyanese people on reforming the electoral system, creating a more independent and less politicised elections body
and strengthening democratic checks and
balances within government institutions.
F u r t h e r, i n i t s p
explaining the need for constitutional reform, the Carter Center highlighted that Guya
ighly polarised political environment and the deep lack of trust between major parties have significantly u n d
m i n e d t h e effectiveness of the Guyana Elections Commission ( G E C O M ) “ T h e commission struggled to reach consensus decisions, even on minor matters, which at times led to gridlock and hampered GECOM'sabilitytoimprove its operations,” the report
stated The Center emphasized that persistent political polarization has blocked many significant
initiatives intended to improve the administration ofelections.
To address these issues, the Carter Center recommended structural reformstoGECOMaimedat enhancing its independence, professionalism, and efficiency while reducing the direct influence of the country's two dominant politicalparties.
“The Carter Center is encouraged by the establishment of a Constitutional Reform Commission and is hopeful that is will resume its work immediately and consider alternative independent and depoliticized structures for the country's election management body,” the Centernoted.
Another concern raised by the Carter Center during
the press conference is the integrity of the voters list, which continues to include the names of deceased persons.
The Center noted that w h i l e l e g i s l a t i v e amendments in 2022 gave GECOM broader authority to remove the names of deceased voters based on documentation from the General Registry Office, the CommissionerofPolice,and the Chief Medical Officer, theseprovisionshavenotyet been fully implemented
“Stakeholders say that the information received via these channels is frequently insufficienttoidentifyvoters withfullconfidence,andthe commission has not agreed uponaneffectivemodalityto fully operationalize the new provisions Some deaths, including those that occur
overseas or in villages far from the country's major towns, are never reported to the authorities,” the Center stated.
As such, the Carter Center stated that in light of the persistent questions about the size and integrity of the voter list, the Center recommended that GECOM should implement the new legal procedures f
removing the names of voterswhohavediedwithin Guyana.
The Center also recommended that it should look to international experience for removing electors who have died overseas.
Meanwhile, during the press conference, Carter commended the overall conduct of the elections, noting that the process was smooth and free from major irregularities. “We did not see any significant irregularitiesofanykindand we also monitor with sophisticated way through socialmedia.
The social media reports also indicated that from a procedural standpoint, the process of these elections was well conducted. There wasanenormousnumberof positive social media post,” hesaid.
The Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARPHA) has successfully hosted the largest technical training workshop on molecular detectionandsurveillanceof antimicrobial resistance (AMR) at its Medical Microbiology Laboratory (CMML) in Trinidad and Tobago.
States, marking an unprecedented step forward in building regional laboratorycapacitytotackle drug-resistantinfections.
The training was organised by CARPHA in collaboration with the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA), in partnership
T h e w e e k - l o n g workshop,heldfromAugust 25–29, 2025, brought together representatives from 20 CARPHA Member
Facilitators and participants at the CMML workshop receive hands-on training in molecular techniques.
Participants at the Regional Training Workshop on Molecular Detection and Surveillance of Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) held in Trinidad.
with the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO), with financial support from the UK Department of Health and Social Care's Fleming Fund andthePandemicFund.
T h i s c o l l e c t i v e investment underscores strong international commitment to advancing AMR capacity across the region In a press release C A R P H A s a i d Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) remains one of the
most pressing global health threats, directly causing an estimated 1 27 million deaths in 2019 and contributing to nearly 5 millionmore.
IntheCaribbean,limited diagnostic capacity and fragmented surveillance systems have hindered timely treatment and effective public health responses.
Molecular testing offers faster and more accurate identification of resistance genes, strengthening both clinical management and regionalsurveillance. The CMML workshop combined lectures with intensive, hands-on training in molecular techniques, including PCR-based detection of resistance genes, quality assurance systems, and the integration ofmoleculardataintoglobal surveillance platforms such asWHOGLASS. By equipping Caribbean (Continuedonpage16)
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From page 8 unregulated leading to a lack of transparency and accountability,” the preliminary findings reported.
Furthermore, the EU EOM underscored the absence laws regarding the use of state funding for political campaigns, along with the lack of provisions to define acceptable sources and uses of funding, donations, or campaign expenditures.
“There are no regulations to ensure a level playing field for neither campaigning, nor adequate rules to minimise the use of State resources to the advantage of incumbency,”
the mission added. The campaign, according to the EU EOM, was also marked by widespread allegations of direct and indirect vote-buying, particularly targeting vulnerable communities, with accusations primarily directed at PPP/C and WIN candidates.
Media landscape
The EU EOM also noted that the media landscape in Guyana is highly politicised, with many outlets aligned with the government.
This resulted in disproportionately favourable coverage for the ruling party.
“Campaign coverage in broadcast and print media is
largely unregulated, diminishing opportunities for voters’ access to pluralistic information. Independent journalists were verbally attacked by high-ranking government officials and their followers at public events and harassed on social media for their professional stance and challenging questions,” the mission stated.
The preliminary report emphasised that while the campaign was described as largely peaceful, the weeks leading up to the elections were marked by increased tension and confrontational rhetoric, particularly among
representatives of the PPP/C, A Partnership for National Unity (APNU), and the We Invest in Nationhood (WIN) party.
The mission also stated that there were reports of altercations between party supporters and disruptions of campaign events.
“Most candidates were able to campaign freely, although the EU EOM received reports from WIN representatives alleging, they were unfairly denied use of public venues in a few instances and hindered from campaigning in some ndigenous villages,” the mission noted.
From page 14 laboratory professionals with advanced skills in molecular diagnostics, the training enhances national capacity and strengthens the region’s ability to respond to AMR threats.
Dr. Gabriel Gonzalez Escobar, Head of the CMML, noted: “Hosting the largest-ever technical workshop at CMML demonstrates
CARPHA’s commitment to advancing laboratory excellence in the Caribbean. This training equips our Member States with cuttingedge molecular tools that will improve diagnostic turnaround times, surveillance data quality, and the region’s readiness to respond to AMR.” CARPHA’s Executive Director, Dr. Lisa Indar, highlighted the importance of re-
gional collaboration: “This milestone shows what can be achieved when regional collaboration meets strong international partnerships.
By bringing together experts from CARPHA, UKHSA, and PAHO, and with the support of the Fleming Fund and Pandemic Fund, we are building resilience in Caribbean health systems and ensuring our Member States
have the tools they need to protect their populations from antimicrobial resistance.”
This workshop follows the phenotypic AMR diagnostics training held in Barbados earlier in 2025 and represents the next phase of CARPHA’s Integrated AMR Programme, which spans surveillance, laboratory strengthening, policy development, partnerships, and One Health collaboration across human, animal, and environmental health.
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The Ministry of Education has received 18 bids for the construction of a new teaching block at the Tutorial High School.
ThisisaccordingtoinformationprovidedbytheNational ProcurementandTenderAdministrationBoard(NPTAB).
The ministry has been building teaching blocks at a number of schools, seeking to provide more space and modernamenitiestosupportthegrowingneedsofthestudent population. Undertaking similar projects at other schools, some teaching blocks will include more classrooms,
laboratories, a library, canteen, and multi-purpose halls, amongotherthings.
Theministryalsotenderedforrehabilitationworksatthe St. Pius Primary School, Bel Air Primary, West Ruimveldt Primary,andextensionofBelAirNurserySchool. Below
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dad and Tobago's prime minister, KamlaPersad-Bissessar,has praisedaUSstrikeonaboat suspected of carrying drugs in the southern Caribbean and said that all traffickers shouldbekilled“violently.”
US President Donald Trump said Tuesday that 11 people were killed aboard the boat that had departed Venezuela, which is located nearTrinidadandTobago.
“I,alongwithmostofthe country, am happy that the US naval deployment is having success in their mission,” Persad-Bissessar said in a statement late Tuesday “The pain and suffering the cartels have inflicted on our nation is immense I have no sympathyfortraffickers;the USmilitaryshouldkillthem all violently.” US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has saidthatthedrugsaboardthe vessel were likely headed to Trinidad or elsewhere in the Caribbean. Persad-Bissessar said that restricting illegal guns, drugs and human trafficking would decrease violence in the Caribbean region and the twin-island nation of Trinidad and Tobago, which has imposed two state of emergencies in recentmonths.
“Our country has been
T&T Prime Minister, Kamla Persaud
ravaged by bloody violence andaddictionbecauseofthe greedofthecartels,”PersadBissessar said. “The slaughter of our people is fueled by evil cartel traffickers.”OtherCaribbean leaders were more reserved intheirremarks.
Barbados Today, a local news site, quoted Barbadian Foreign Minister Kerrie Symmonds as saying that foreign ministers within Caricom, a 15-member regional trade bloc, wrote to Rubio to ensure that future
military operations within the Caribbean don't occur without prior notice or explanation. “What effectively we are trying to do is to work through the diplomatic channels of makingsurethatthereareno surprises and practices, so that you get notification wherever it is feasible for actionsthataregoingtohave a foreseeable regional impact,” Symmonds was quotedassaying.
He said that ongoing dialogue would “avoid
misunderstandings, and we can maintain and strengthen our mutual confidence with eachother.”
Meanwhile, Colombian President Gustavo Petro questioned the operation on Wednesday, saying that it's possibletoconductmaritime interdiction of drug shipments without attacking avessel'soccupants.
He said that Colombia typically captures them, since those transporting the drugs “are not the big drug traffickers,”butrather,“very pooryoungpeople”fromthe region.
“Bombing the boat violates the universal principle of proportionality of force and results in murder,”theleftistpresident wroteonX.
Trump has said that the vessel targeted in the strike in international waters was operatedbyTrendeAragua, a Venezuelan gang The White House didn't immediatelyexplainhowthe military determined that thoseaboardthevesselwere TrendeAraguamembers.
Thestrikecameafterthe US announced last month that it planned to boost its maritime force in waters off Venezuela to fight threats from Latin American drug cartels.
Four-year-old
(AL-JAZEERA) - At least 21,000 children have been disabled in Gaza since Israel’sgenocidalwaronthe besieged enclave broke out nearly two years ago, a United Nations committee hassaid
The UN Committee on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD) reported on Wednesday that
about 40,500 children have suffered “new war-related injuries” during the war, leaving more than half of themdisabled.
Childmalnutritionisalso soaring in Gaza, where a full-blown famine has been declared.
An estimated 132,000 children below the age of fiveareprojectedtobeatrisk
malnutrition by June 2026, according to the Integrated F
Classification(IPC)system.
Reviewing the situation in the Palestinian territories, it said Israeli forced displacement orders during thearmy’soffensiveinGaza were “often inaccessible” to peoplewithhearingorvisual
(Reuters) - At least four soldiers and 10 militia members were killed in fighting in an area of South Sudan where previous clashes led to the arrest of First Vice President Riek Machar, the military said on Tuesday
The arrest of Machar - a longtime rival of President Salva Kiir - in March prompted international calls forrestraintandstirredfears of a return to civil war between Kiir’s Dinka forces and Nuer fighters loyal to Machar Fighters from the socalledWhiteArmy,amilitia Machar’s opponents say is linkedtotheSPLM-IOparty he leads, attacked the South Sudan military on Monday in an area in Upper Nile state,nearNasirtown,South S u d a n m i l i t a r y spokesperson GarangAteny said.
Thenortheasterntownis where violence that led to Machar’s detention erupted earlythisyear “They(White Army) carried out three
separate attacks on our position,” Ateny said, addingthearmyhadlostfour soldiersintheclashwhile10 attackerswerekilled.
The spokespeople for SPLM-IO and the White Army could not be immediately reached Machar and his party deny any current links to the WhiteArmy Kiir,aDinka,hasserved in an uneasy power-sharing
impairments, “rendering evacuationimpossible”.
“Reports also described people with disabilities beingforcedtofleeinunsafe and undignified conditions, such as crawling through sand or mud without mobilityassistance,”itsaid.
Meanwhile, the CRPD said the restrictions, a result of Israel’s punishing blockade, on humanitarian aid being brought into the G a z a S t r i p w e r e disproportionately impactingthedisabled.
“People with disabilities faced severe disruptions in assistance, leaving many withoutfood,cleanwater,or sanitation and dependent on othersforsurvival,”itsaid.
WhiletheprivateUnited States- and Israel-backed GHF has four distribution points across the territory, theUNsystemithaslargely
replaced had about 400 Regular mass shootings by Israeli forces at aid points mean that many disabled people cannot access aid, and are risking being shot whiledoingso.
Thelossofmobilityaids under the rubble has further prevented people from reaching the relocated aid points.
The CRPD said 83 percent of disabled people had lost their assistive devices,withmostunableto afford alternatives such as donkeycarts.
It voiced concern that devices like wheelchairs, walkers, canes, splints and prosthetics were considered “dual-use items” by the Israeli authorities and were therefore not included in aid shipments.
government with Machar, a Nuer, since a 2018 peace deal ended an ethnicallytinged civil war between fightersloyaltothetwomen which killed hundreds of thousandsofpeople. Machar’s detention, for trying to stir up a rebellion through his supposed support for the WhiteArmy militia, has ignited fears of renewed conflict along ethniclines.
The committee said it hadbeeninformedofatleast 157,114 people sustaining injuries, with more than 25 percent at risk of lifelong impairments, between October 7, 2023 andAugust 21 this year It said Israel should adopt specific measures for protecting children with disabilities fromattacks,andimplement evacuation protocols that takeintoaccountpeoplewith disabilities.
Israel should ensure disabledpeopleare“allowed to return safely to their homes and are assisted in doingso”,itadded.
TheCRPDcalledforthe delivery of “massive humanitarian aid to persons withdisabilities”affectedby the war, while insisting that all sides needed to adopt protection measures for the disabled to prevent “further violence, harm, deaths and deprivationofrights”.
( A L - J A Z E E R A ) Burkina Faso’s government has passed a law banning homosexuality, with those found guilty facing two to five years in prison, according to the state broadcaster
The draft law was unanimously passed on Monday by 71 unelected members of the country’s transitional government, which has been in place since the military seized power under the leadership ofthenowPresidentIbrahim Traore, after two coups in 2022.
Justice Minister Edasso RodrigueBayalaannounced the law on national broadcaster RTB and said those guilty would also face fines along with serving prisontime.
“If a person is a perpetrator of homosexual or similar practices, all the bizarre behaviour, they will gobeforethejudge,”hesaid, addingthatforeignnationals wouldbedeportedunderthe law
Thenewlawisexpected t o g o i n t o e ff e c t immediately
The latest law is part of BurkinaFaso’swiderreform of family and citizenship
legislation and will be “popularised through an awareness campaign”, accordingtoofficials
However,rightsactivists are likely to call out the restrictions on the new legislation and limits imposedonlegalrecoursein nationalitycases. Since the military took powerin2022,soldiershave saidtheyplantostabilisethe country amid a worsening security crisis and provide bettergovernance.
However, rights groups have accused the military government of cracking down on human rights with large-scale arrests and military conscription of critics.
Burkina Faso becomes the latestAfrican country to
ban homosexuality, joining more than half of African countries that penalise the sexual orientation with eitherprisonsentencesorthe deathpenalty
Neighbouring country andally,Mali,alsoadopted
November2024
In recent years, Ghana
toughened their anti-
criticism
In Uganda, a law was adopted with the provision that made “aggravated homosexuality” a capital offence and imposed penalties for consensual same-sex relations of up to lifeinprison
Every credible electoral observation mission to Guyana has raised the same troubling concern: the abuse of State media by the government and the lack of access to public information. This is not a minor flaw; it strikes at the heart of democracy
When the State's communication machinery is monopolised by those in power, citizens are denied the opportunity to hear opposing voices, scrutinise policies, and make informed choices.
The systematic shutting out of opposition parties from the State media is a blatant misuse of taxpayer-funded resources. The national media is not the property of whichever party holds office; it belongs to the people of Guyana. Its role should be to inform the public fairly and impartially, not to serve as a propaganda tool for the government of the day
If Guyana is to build a credible democracy, equal access to information must be guaranteed. Citizens deserve transparency, accountability, and a plurality of views not carefully curated narratives designed to protect incumbents.
Until this imbalance is corrected, every election will carry a shadow of unfairness.
The government must act now to restore trust, level the playing field, and uphold the democratic values it so often professes.
Th
Poonai Pharmacy of Rose Hall Town on Saturday last
sponsorshipoftheRoseHall TownYouthandSportsClub under 11 and 13 teams duringasimpleceremonyat the Area H Ground. The presentation was done by
Chief Executive Officer of the pharmacy, Poonai Bhigroog,totheclubcricket
m a n a g e r , R o b b y Kissoonlall, in the presence of members of the team and secretaryoftheclub,Hilbert Foster The Poonai Pharmacy cameonboardastheofficial sponsoroftheunder13team
in2020andlatertookonthe under 11 team in 2023. The under 13 team, since then, has won the BCB title four times The team last Saturdaydefeatedarchrivals Albion by ten runs to lift theirfourthtitleinsixyears. TheydefeatedAlbiontwice, Rose Hall Canje and Port Mourant in the finals to
become champions. while theteamwasalsorunnersup twice. Kissoonlall, in his capacity as Manager hailed the support of the pharmacy as one of the main reasons for the success of the under 13team.
ARIES(Mar.21–Apr.19)
Overall,theforecastfortoday is fairly good. The aspects seemtofavorfiguringoutthe meaning of all that's transpired over the past several weeks It's an opportunity for you to take a leisurely
TAURUS(Apr.20–May20)
Have you felt somewhat lost forthepastfewdays?Thefog maylifttodayandenableyou to situate yourself at last. You'reprobablyeagertosettle a question that has nagged at you and interfered with your judgment.
GEMINI(May21–June20)
You may have been feeling somewhat disillusioned. Perhapsyoulostsightofyour goals or misplaced your faith in yourself. You'll feel some reliefbeginningtoday
CANCER(June21–July22)
Youmightbetemptedtosettle certain matters by radical means. The visionary part of you means you're painfully aware of the world's wrongs. You see no reason not to take actiontocorrectthem.
LEO(July23–Aug.22)
Today will be fairly calm in terms of outside events, but yourinnerworldislikelytobe in a rush of activity Today you wish you could find the solutiontoyourheartachesas well as your career predicaments.
VIRGO(Aug.23–Sept.22)
You have a lot of thinking to do about your professional goals, Virgo. You'll go over the elements to see if there isn't some way to approach thingsdifferently
LIBRA(Sept.23–Oct.22)
Youjustcan'tdoeverythingat once, Libra. How do you expect to reduce your stress and recuperate while at the same time continue to be a superstar performer in every areaofyourlife.
SCORPIO(Oct.23–Nov 21)
Thisisagoodmomenttoadapt your logic and reason to reality, Scorpio. If you don't, you're going to run into some
Everyone knows that you find newideasplentiful.
SAGIT(Nov 22–Dec.21)
It'sgoingtobealittledifficult t
y, Sagittarius. You, who can be easily influenced by others, will be listening to and criticizing everything that peoplesay
CAPRI(Dec.22–Jan.19)
Haveyoubeenreviewingyour
ely, Capricorn? Of special interest is your cultural background. What educational, social, and religious environment were you born into? What are its values?Intheend.
AQUARIUS (Jan. 20–Feb. 18) It's time to elevate your senseofself,Aquarius.You're justasgoodasanyoneelse,so why don't you believe it? The problem is that you're very sensitiveabouthavinganego. Even though you know everyonedoes.
PISCES(Feb.19–Mar.20)
Today your intellectual and expressive abilities should receive a boost from the planets.It'sanexcellenttimeto organize your thoughts about presentingaproject.
honoring mothers and fathers, Republic Bank Summer Camp, school bags project, medical outreach, Christmas Village and distributionoftoys.
He also proudly announced that the under 11 wontheonlytournamentfor thatagegroupin2023when they defeated Albion in the finals played at the Chesney Ground The team, Kissoonlall stated, has producedover20playersfor Berbice while several have gone on to play for Guyana, including Raffel Mckemzie, Tameshwar Deochand, Trishna Hardat and Leon Reddy
Kissoonlall, noted that the two teams serve as the nurserytotheotherteamsin theclubandassuch,special emphasis is placed on them. Ahuge investment has been made in terms of gears and some special developmental projects at the Area H Ground.
They include a special batting cage, bowling machine, batting mats, twelve-feetfencearoundthe concrete pitch and the construction of several battingcentresintheground. Theclubalsoinvestsheavily in the educational career of its junior players and assists as much as possible in providing them with personal gears, cycles, electronic tablets, uniforms andschoolmaterials.
Foster, the former threeterm Berbice Cricket Board
President expressed gratitudetoMrBhigroogfor his sponsorship over the years and for supporting other programmes as well. Hecommittedthetwoteams to upholding their high standardsinthefuture.
The veteran cricket administrator also disclosed thatmanagementoftheteam hasalreadystartedtoprepare a team for the 2026 tournament as a captain wouldbenamedshortly
Captain of the current team, Jayden Ganpat, informedthesponsorthatthe team under his leadership had undertaken over three dozen community-related projects/programmes under thenameofthesponsorship. Theyincludedfoodhampers for the less fortunate,
Poonai Bhigroog, in a well received speech, stated thathewasveryproudtobe associated with the teams as they had represented his business brand with pride,
passion and commitment. The popular businessman urged them to be the best they can be on the cricket field, but to also focus on
To
applause,healsoannounced a financial incentive to the entire team for successfully defending their title
(RHTYSCRelease)
(BBCSport)-Minimum salariesforplayersinthetop two tiers of professional women’sfootballinEngland are being introduced for the firsttimethisseason.
It is one of the requirements brought in by WSLFootball-thecompany
overseeing England’s professionalleagues.
WSLFootballwouldnot disclose what the minimum level will be, but it is described as a “full-time wage”.
It is expected the salary range will be made public when the updated WSL and WSL 2 regulations are publishedlaterthisseason.
Thesalarieswillbebased onthresholdssuchastheage of players, what league they are playing in, and their experience in the game following consultation with theProfessionalFootballers’ Association(PFA).
“We feel that’s a really positive move. We have so many players who have had to juggle part-time roles while playing football,” WSL Football’s chief operating officer Holly MurdochtoldBBCSport.
“Beingableto ensure all our players can earn a fulltime wage from football is very,veryimportant.Iwould say it’s the start as it’s a
framework we can develop on.
“We have worked really closelywiththePFAonwhat thosethresholdsshouldlook like. We will be reviewing thatconstantly.”
On top of minimum salary requirements, clubs must meet increased criteria around high-performance environments.
It comes after a multiyear partnership was agreed between WSL Football and Nike.
Part of the agreement will see Nike provide football boots and goalkeeper gloves to all playersintheWSLandWSL 2 who do not have an endorsementdeal.
There is also a new collaboration with external companyKyniskaAdvocacy - an athlete-led organisation aimed at evolving new standardsforsafeguarding.
All players will gain access to their confidential
support service as an independentrouteforraising welfareconcerns.
“Weknowthatduetothe fact the game has grown so rapidly, we have disparity Part of that creates a competitive advantage, so thereareelementswehaveto mandate,”addedMurdoch.
“Oneoftherequirements will be to have a ‘performance wellbeing’ role. We will be asking all clubs to employ that role full-time by the end of this season.
“We want to make sure wearepreparingourplayers for life on the pitch, both mentally and physically, as well as off it. That role is critical.”
The 2025-26 WSL season begins on Friday as champions Chelsea face ManchesterCityatStamford Bridge, on the back of England winning a second consecutive European Championshiptitle.
(BBC Sport) - Felix Auger-Aliassime dealt further Grand Slam quarterfinal eartbreak to Alex de Minaur with a battling victorytoreachtheUSOpen lastfour TheCanadiancame fromasetdowntowin4-676 (9-7) 7-5 7-6 (7-4) and reach the semi-finals at a majorforthefirsttimesince 2021.
Australia’s De Minaur has reached six Grand Slam quarter-finals - including three in New York - but has still yet to go beyond that stage. It was a back-andforth match that at times lacked quality on both sides of the net, with a combined total of 22 double faults and 93unforcederrors.
“Ithinkitwasjustalotof nerves today during the whole match,” AugerAliassimesaid.
“It wasn’t pretty at all times but that’s what Grand Slam matches are - some daysyouwon’tfeelyourbest butIwaswillingtodigreally deeptostandhererightnow
“The biggest challenges are yet to come but that’s what I live for, so I’m going to show up and be ready for mymatchonFriday.”
Auger-Aliassime will face either world number oneanddefendingchampion Jannik Sinner or Italy’s Lorenzo Musetti for a place inthefinal
De Minaur found his rhythm quickly when the matchgotunderwayinfront ofasparsecrowd.
The tennis failed to captivate as the seats on ArthurAsheStadiumstarted to fill out, with a constant murmurofchatteractingasa
soundtracktotheaction.
A break was enough to seal the opening set for De Minauranditlookedlikethe second was heading in the same direction whenAugerAliassime dropped serve to trail 3-2, but he struck back inthenextgameandsaveda furtherbreakpoint.
After taking the second set on a tie-break, AugerAliassime broke to lead 3-2 in the third and De Minaur begantofalter
De Minaur, a tireless defensive player, wrestled the break back but AugerAliassime regained his advantage in the next game beforeclosingouttheset.
De Minaur took some time off court to gather himselfbeforethefourthand returnedre-energised.
An early break put him on track to set up a decider but, from 5-2 up, he lost his wayandleftthedoorajarfor Auger-Aliassime to force a tie-break.
The topsy-turvy
encounter continued with each of the first five points going against serve before the 2021 US Open semifinalist closed out the match after four hours and 13
minutes.
GB’s Hewett, Slade and Lapthorneintosecondround
Britain’s Alfie Hewett began his bid for a third straightUSOpenwheelchair
singles title with a commanding victory over AmericanCharlieCooper
Second seed Hewett needed just 61 minutes to record a 6-0 6-2 win against the17-year-old.
Wheelchair tennis is making its return in New York after conflicting schedules with the Paralympics meant the competitionwasnotheldlast year
Hewett, who won the title in 2022 and 2023, is chasing a second Grand Slamsinglestitlethisseason
after triumphing at the AustralianOpeninJanuary Fellow Britons Greg Slade and Andy Lapthorne also made it through to the second round of the quad singles.
Slade saved three match points before wrapping up a 6-3 4-6 7-6 (11-9) win against Brazil’s Leandro Pena, while Lapthorne - a two-time winner at the US Open - beat South African DonaldRamphadi6-26-3.
In the women’s wheelchair singles, Lucy Shuker fell to a 6-3 6-0 defeat by Dutch 23-time GrandSlamchampionDiede deGroot,whohasyettowin amajortitlethisseasonafter making her comeback from hipandshouldersurgery
Members and management of the Rose
Hall Town Namilco
Thunderbolt Flour First Divisionteamhasexpressed congratulation to three of their team mates on being selected on the Guyana Cricket Board list of contracted players for the next year. The players named after the draft were Kevlo Anderson, Junior Sinclair and Slyus Tyndall and members of the team under the leadership of former national player Clinton Pestano expressed happiness at the selectionof theirmates.
Anderson, who recently became the third Rose Hall
TownYouthandSportsClub membertoplaytestcricketis a solid middle order batsman, who in 2025 was the leading run scorer for Guyana with 573 runs at an averageof71.63. Healsobowlsoffspinner andbriskmediumpacerand is also a useful wicket keeper/
JuniorSinclair,whohas represented Guyana at the regionalfiftyoversleveland in the Caribbean Premier League 20/20 tournament is anallrounderwhoopensthe batting for his club, bowls offspinandisanoutstanding fielder Sinclair recently scored 207notoutfortheRoseHall Town Namilco team versus
PoliceintheBerbiceCricket Boardtwodaysfirstdivision tournament. He was also amongthe wicketswith two four wickets haul against PoliceandPortMourant. Sylus Tyndall is a brisk fast bowler who has represented Guyana at the
(ESPN Cricinfo) -
Zimbabwe allrounder
SikandarRazaisthenewNo. 1 allrounder in the ICC’s ODI rankings, achieving the featforthefirsttime.Hehad scored92andanunbeaten59 in the two-match series against Sri Lanka in Harare, andalsopickedupawicket. He went past Afghanistan’s Azmatullah Omarzai and Mohammad Nabi, who are now second and third, respectively
There’s a new No. 1 among ODI bowlers too. SouthAfricaspinnerKeshav Maharaj has broken the deadlock at the top with Sri L a n k a ’s M a h e e s h Theekshana, claiming the No 1 position outright Maharaj moved up after taking4for22inabigwinin the first ODI against EnglandinLeeds.
Sikandar Raza scored 151 runs in two ODIs againstSri Lanka (Zimbabwe Cricket)
SriLankaopenerPathum Nissanka, named Player of theSeriesagainstZimbabwe after topping the charts with 198 runs, has climbed seven places to 13th among ODI batters. Janith Liyanage is up 13 places to 29th, while Zimbabwe’s Sean Williams hasrisenthreeplacesto47th. In the T20I rankings, AfghanistanbattersIbrahim Zadran(up12spotsto20th) and Sediqullah Atal (up a remarkable 346 places to 127th) have risen following back-to-back wins against
UAE and Pakistan in the ongoingtri-series.
Otherstoimproveinthe T20I rankings are Pakistan’s Hasan Nawaz (joint-31st) among batters, while Sufiyan Muqeem (22nd), Shaheen Shah
Afridi (26th) and Mohammad Nawaz (43rd) made strides among bowlers
junior level with some success and was recently named in the Guyana senior squad. In the one match, he played against the Police firstdivisionteam,heended withfourwicketsfortwenty fiverunsinafieryspellatthe Area H Ground in the BCB
Tournament.
The RHTYSC wishes thetrioofplayersallthebest and would like to urge them to uphold their high standards .The team is very proud of our record of producing a total of 127 players for our county,
Guyana and the West Indies since 1994. A total of ten playershavegoneontoplay attheinternationalleveland
producing more in the near future. The club would also
Shemaine Campbelle Kelvon Anderson, Sheneeta Grimmond and Shabaki Gajnabiforbeingpartofthe Amazon Warriors team for the ongoing Caribbean P r e m i e r L e a g u e tournaments The club wishes our players and their respective teams all the best .Wesharethesuccessofour players with Namilco Thunderbolt Flour brand as they are the root of our success.(RHTRelease)
Ahead of their journey home for this weekend’s start of the home leg in this year’s CPL, Guyana AmazonWarriorssquareoff againstadesperateBarbados Royals tonight, as both franchiseswilllooktobreak their respective losing streaks.
The Royals have misfired all season, a huge discredittotheirworld-class batting line featuring the talents of former South Africa skipper Quinton De Kock, Windies stars Brandon King, power-hitter
Sherfane Rutherford, KadeemAlleyneandformer
CPL champ/captain RovmanPowell.
Despite a top-heavy batting unit, the Royals undoubtedly have their bowlingtoblame,especially after the aforementioned batters managed to put up good individual and team scorestodate.
Going against the Warriors batting engine could prove a tough task for the likes of former Warriors skipper Chris Green and Jomel Warrican, arguably the team’s best bowling options given the inexperience.
Amazon Warriors could also use this match to rebound from their loss against TKR a few nights ago,wheretheyplayedtheir strangestgameyet.
Areshuffleinthebatting
order could prove useful, especially after the likes of Ben McDermott, Kevlon Anderson, Mooen Ali and Shimron Hetmyer continue tohavemixedoutcomes.
With Gudakesh Motie being pushed to open in the last game, alongside an outof-form McDermott which is clearly a sign of a new combinationbeingneededat thetop.
Players like Ifitkhar Ahmed could easily be swapped for Guyanese Kemol Savory, with another Essequibian in the attacking Quentin Sampson already showingglimpsesofwhathe bringstothetable.
Withthebattingneeding a few tweaks, for the most partwithShaiHopeactingas thegluetheWarriorsshould
overpower the Royals iffy bowlingunit.
Warriors skipper Imran Tahir will want to continue his exploits with the ball while Motie should seek to focus a bit more on his batting while supporting his skipper in the spin department.
With Jediah Blades, Dwaine Pretorius being a force in both units, Shamar Joseph still looking to find his rhythm and Shepherd being a consistent wickettaking option, the Warriors should be well-equipped to tackle a strong Royals battingorder
Thefirstballisexpected to bowl off from 19:00h at the iconic Kensington Oval Ground, Barbados. (Clifton Ross)
In the rich cricketing corridors of the Demerara Cricket Club (DCC), legends are
born, nurtured, and occasionally just narrowly miss the mark. The latest to etch his name into that history is youngster allrounderJonathanvanLange, who became the second
DCC player to fall
agonizingly short of emulating club great Carl Hooper’s iconic Youth One Day International (ODI) debutcentury
PlayinginhisfirstYouth ODI for the West Indies U19sagainstSriLankaatthe Coolidge Cricket Ground in Antigua,VanLangeputona masterful display, scoring a vital83runstohelptheteam post 256 before ultimately sealing a 12-run victory It wasadebutperformancefull of promise, fluent stroke play, composure under pressure, and a glimpse of the potential that selectors and fans alike are eager to seeblossom.
Yet, as impressive as it was, Van Lange’s innings stillleftahintofwhatmight have been. He finished 17 runs short of the DCC benchmark set by Carl Hooper, who remains the onlyclubmembertoscorea centuryonYouthODIdebut. Hooperhaddazzledwith119 runs against England at Kensington Oval back in January1985,aperformance that cemented his name in WestIndiesfolklore.
Van Lange joins a bittersweet club of DCC players who flirted with history but fell just shy Trevon Griffith was the first to challenge Hooper’s debut
Van Lange’s selection continues DCC’s legacy of p r o d u c i n g y o u t h internationals, but the real question now is—can he m
transition from youth
performance is a leap that many have failed to make.
For every Roger Harper or Keemo Paul, there are
severaltalentedplayerswho d
shadows.
Van Lange’s all-round ability,however,providesan addeddimension.Ifnurtured correctly,hecouldfollowthe path carved out by Keemo Paul (another DCC product) whowasintegraltotheWest Indies’2016ICCU19World Cupwinandnowrepresents
the senior team across formats.
While the dream of replicating Carl Hooper’s Youth ODI debut feat remains unfulfilled for now, Jonathan van Lange’s inningswasmorethananear miss, it was a statement of intent. In a sport where potential often flounders
opportunity, the spotlight is now on Van Lange’s development.
Will he rise to join the likes of Harper, Paul, and Imlach in Test whites? Or will his name become another footnote in DCC’s longlistof“whatcouldhave been?” Time, as always in cricket, will be the ultimate judge.
record when he scored an aggressive 84 against Pakistan in the 2010 ICC U19 World Cup in New Zealand. Like Van Lange, Griffith’s innings was electric, but he too fell short ofthatelusivecentury.
DCC’s U19 Pipeline: A Legacy of near misses and occasionalGlory Demerara Cricket Club has long been a cradle for cricketing excellence in Guyana Since Sydney Matthews donned the maroon U19 cap in 1970, a steadystreamofDCCtalent has emerged onto the youth international scene The likes of Charles Lloyde, Mark Harper, Andrew Lyght, and Keshore Persaud paved the way for generationstocome.
Among the most notable modern alumni are Roger Harper, Keith Semple, Rayon Thomas, Vishal Arjune, Keemo Paul and Tevin Imlach, all of whom have worn West Indies colours at youth level, with Harper, Paul and Imlach graduatingtotheseniorTest side.
Even among this rich history, there have been impressive performances beyond the debut stage Leon Johnson, another Guyanese standout, scored 117inhissecondYouthODI against Pakistan in 2005. Similarly, Steven Jacobs producedacommanding102 against Papua New Guinea atthe2008YouthWorldCup in Malaysia, both just missing the debut-century mark but still proving their mettleatyouthlevel.
What’s Next for Van Lange?
