GEORGETOWN, Guyana, CMC—Guyana’s opposition parties have signaled their intention to contest the regional and general elections this year and have given themselves until March 31 to determine whether they will contest the elections as a united force or independent parties.
The leader of the Alliance for Change (AFC), Nigel Hughes, told a news conference that an agreement with the main opposition People’s National Congress Reform (PNCR)-led A Partnership Unity (APNU)—is possible.
The APNU was formed in July 2011 to contest the election of that year. It included several smaller parties and was successful in the 2015 general elections, but it lost power five years later.
Hughes, who was not pleased that some information about the proposed agreement was reported in a section of the media here on Monday hours after the exploratory agreement was signed, told reporters, “I would only say that trust and confidentiality are particularly important for us.”
But he said he remains hopeful that the issues that arose following the agreement would be resolved and that the two sides can move forward positively. He said the signed exploratory agreement has two phases, one dependent on the other.
“The agreement was structured in two phases. The first phase would be an exploratory phase where we examine whether or not we can collaborate in the national interest and present a joint team or a single team to contest the next elections
“The second phase depends on whether or not we had a successful conclusion to the first phase,” he said, and that the parties have until March 31, 2025, to determine whether they will contest the elections as a united force or independent parties.
“What the agreement contemplates is that we must arrive at a position by that date, failing which we don’t go or if we do agree, then the shape and scope of what we arrive at will determine what happens next,” he said.
Jamaican political strategist Alston Stewart is reportedly leading the negotiations on behalf of the AFC. Stewart had played an integral role in negotiating the February 2015 coalition accord for the elections in that year
Hughes said the AFC remains committed to contesting the elections on its own but has agreed to consider a possible coalition in accordance with its executive decision.
“Our executives have authorized us to enter into discussion with other parties. We believe that with some parties, it is better to have documented the parameters of our engagement just so that we are all on the same page. However, there’s no change in our commitment to enter these elections on our own, if necessary,” he said.
Hughes said there is no agreement on who will be the presidential candidate if the two sides agree to move forward together.
“There has to be a mechanism for identifying, assuming that it gets out of life support and gets back on its feet. There has to be a mechanism and a process for identifying the leadership for us. That process has to be driven by scientific means, polls, and other criteria. If and when we get there, I’m sure we’ll address that,” Hughes told reporters.
The AFC has already named Hughes its presidential candidate should it contest the elections as a single entity. In contrast, the PNCR has named the Opposition Leader and its leader, Aubrey Norton, as its candidates.
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