Guyana Election 2025 Summary - What You Should Know

Guyana Election 2025 Summary

This post is about the Guyana Election 2025 Summary and What You Should Know.

I. Timeline - When is the next Guyana Presidential Election?

The next Guyana Presidential election will likely be held in November or December 2025. The official date has not been determined yet.

Presidential elections take place every 5 years. Candidates are limited to two terms.

II. Who are the candidates in Guyana’s 2025 presidential election?

President Irfaan Ali of the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C)

Since 2020, the current leader is the 9th President of Guyana, President Irfaan Ali. 

Early Life and Education

Ali was born in Leonora, Guyana and spent much time on Leguan. His maternal ancestors went to Guyana as Indian indentured servants aboard the Rhine in November of 1894.

He is the first Muslim to hold this office and only the second Muslim head of state in the Americas, following Noor Hassanali of Trinidad and Tobago.

Ali holds a Doctorate in Urban and Regional Planning from the University of the West Indies. Additionally, he earned a Master of Arts in Manpower Planning, a Postgraduate Diploma in International Business, a Postgraduate Certificate in Finance from Anglia Ruskin University, an LLM in International Commercial Law from the University of Salford, and a Bachelor of Arts (Hons.) in Business Management from the University of Sunderland.

Political Career

Ali's political journey began in 2006 when he became a member of the National Assembly of Guyana. President Ali was the Minister of Housing and Water from 2009 to 2015. During his tenure, he implemented extensive housing campaigns, distributing lots to citizens across various social strata and regions. 

In 2020, Ali was selected as the presidential candidate for the People's Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C). He won the March 2020 general election and was sworn in as President on August 2, 2020, after a protracted electoral process.

Personal Life

In 2017, Ali married Arya Kishore, an economist and daughter of a lumberyard entrepreneur. Arya grew up in Lusignan and Ogle, east of Demerara, and is a graduate of the University of Guyana. The couple have two sons.

Policy 

President Ali has focused on economic development, mainly leveraging Guyana's oil reserves for sustainable growth. His administration emphasizes transparency, strengthening democratic institutions, and equitable distribution of resources. President Ali is also working to enhance Guyana's foreign relations to attract investment and promote national development.

Here’s the list of President Irfaan Ali's policies with hyperlinked references:

1. Economic Development and Wealth Distribution

  • Cash Transfers and Wage Increases: President Ali announced a one-time cash payment of nearly $1,000 for every household and plans to increase the monthly minimum wage from $350 to $500. Read more here.
  • Free College Tuition: The government reinstated free tertiary education, a policy that was discontinued in the early 1990s under pressure from the International Monetary Fund (IMF). Read more here.

2. Energy and Infrastructure Development

  • Reduction of Electricity Costs: President Ali pledged to cut power bills by half, aiming to alleviate the high cost of living for Guyanese citizens. Read more here.
  • Gas-to-Energy Project: The administration is investing in a $1.9 billion gas-to-energy project expected to lower power bills and support industrial development. Read more here.

3. Climate and Environmental Policies

  • Expansion of Protected Areas: President Ali announced plans to double Guyana's protected areas, currently covering around 8.4% of the country’s landmass, within 18 months. Read more here.
  • Climate-Resilient Defense Strategies: He emphasized the need for defense strategies that consider climate change impacts, particularly in the Latin American and Caribbean region. Read more here.

4. Food Security and Agricultural Development

  • Promotion of Self-Sufficiency: President Ali outlined an ambitious agenda for reducing food insecurity in the Caribbean region, aiming to make Guyana a leader in agricultural production and self-sufficiency. Read more here.

5. International Relations and Global Engagement

  • Advocacy for Inclusive Financial Systems: In international forums, President Ali has called for reforms to the international financial architecture to make it more inclusive and conducive to sustainable development for all. Read more here.
  • Strengthening Regional Security: He engaged in discussions emphasizing the importance of regional security cooperation, including meetings with U.S. officials to bolster defense and security ties. Read more here.

These policies illustrate President Irfaan Ali's vision for using Guyana’s natural resources and strategic position to ensure sustainable growth, regional leadership, and improved quality of life for its citizens.

Aubrey Norton of the People’s National Congress (PNC)

The leader of the PNC is Aubrey Norton.

Aubrey Norton is a prominent Guyanese politician and leader of the opposition People's National Congress Reform (PNCR). Known for his strong advocacy on governance, social equality, and resource management, Norton has cemented his place as a key figure in Guyana’s political arena.

Early Life and Education

Norton holds a Bachelor’s degree in Political Science from the University of Guyana and a Master’s degree in International Relations from the University of the Kent, Canterbury.

Political Career

Over the years, he has served as General Secretary of the PNCR, a government minister at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and a member of Parliament for 9 years. 

In 2021, Norton was elected leader of the PNCR, succeeding David Granger. As leader of the opposition, Norton has been vocal on issues such as governance reform, equitable resource distribution from Guyana’s burgeoning oil industry, and addressing racial and social inequalities.

Here’s a list of Aubrey Norton’s policies with hyperlinked references:

These policies and criticisms illustrate Aubrey Norton’s focus on governance, equitable resource management, and addressing social inequalities in Guyana.

Nigel Hughes of the Alliance For Change (AFC) 

The leader of the AFC is Nigel Hughes.

Nigel Hughes is a Guyanese attorney and political figure, currently serving as the leader of the Alliance for Change (AFC), a prominent political party in Guyana. 

Early Life and Education

According to St. Stanislus College: “After graduating with honours in his first degree (L.L.B.) and a Masters in law ( L.L.M ) at University College, London University in 1986, Mr. C.A. Nigel Hughes attended the Council of Legal Education (C.L. E ) in London in 1987 from which institution he graduated. Mr. Hughes was then called to the Bar in London as a member of the Inner Temple on the 24th day of November 1997.”

Professional Career

He is a lawyer and owns the firm Hughes, Fields, and Stoby. The firm represents ExxonMobil. He was met with demands to resign over conflict of interest, and responded that he would only resign if he was elected to the government. 

In 2023, he was elected as the leader of the AFC, succeeding Khemraj Ramjattan. 

Personal Life

Nigel Hughes is married to Catherine Hughes, a prominent figure in Guyana's political and business sectors. 

Policy Stance

Here’s a list of Nigel Hughes' policies with hyperlinked references:

These policies highlight Hughes' focus on fiscal responsibility, unity, political integrity, and clear professional boundaries.

III. Guyana's Political Parties

Guyanese politics remains deeply influenced by ethnic loyalties, with the PNC and PPP often viewed as representing Afro-Guyanese and Indo-Guyanese interests, respectively. 

The discovery of significant oil reserves has added new dimensions to the political landscape, with debates on revenue management and national development being central to political campaigns.

People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C)

The PPP was created in 1950 by Cheddi Jagan and Forbes Burnham. They merged the Political Affairs Committee and Labour Party, led by each, respectively.

The British then claimed there was a threat of a Marxist revolution due to Jagan’s beliefs and removed the PPP government. An unelected interim government was put in place. The PPP split for the following election in 1957, and Burnham’s faction created the Afro-Guyanese based People’s National Congress (PNC). The remaining PPP were primarily Indo-Guyanese.

After that, the Kennedy administration used the CIA and United Kingdom to incite race riots to oust the PPP. In the 1964 elections, the PNCS and United Force won more seats than the PPP. The Working People’s Alliance (WPA) then split from the PPP and was led by Walter Rodney.

Since 2020, the current leader is President Irfaan Ali. President Ali was the Minister of Housing and Water from 2009 to 2015. Ali was born in Leonora, Guyana and spent much time on Leguan. His maternal ancestors went to Guyana as Indian indentured servants aboard the Rhine in November of 1894.

People’s National Congress (PNC)

The PNC was established in 1957 by Forbes Burnham after splitting from the People's Progressive Party (PPP), which was led by Cheddi Jagan.

Initially, the PNC was a socialist-oriented party. Over time, it evolved into a center-left political organization, promoting nationalism and development policies.

The PNC primarily draws support from the Afro-Guyanese population, while the PPP has traditionally been supported by the Indo-Guyanese community. This ethnic alignment has been a significant feature of Guyanese politics.

The PNC first came to power in 1964 through a coalition with the United Force (UF). Forbes Burnham became the Prime Minister. Under Burnham's leadership, the PNC implemented policies to promote economic self-sufficiency and socialism, including nationalizing key industries like sugar and bauxite. However, this period was also marked by allegations of electoral fraud and authoritarianism.

The PNC lost power in the 1992 elections to the PPP, which marked the first free and fair elections in decades. Desmond Hoyte continued as the party leader in opposition, critiquing the PPP’s governance.

In the 2010s, the PNC rebranded itself as part of a broader coalition called A Partnership for National Unity (APNU), which later joined forces with the Alliance for Change (AFC) to form APNU+AFC.

The APNU+AFC coalition won the 2015 elections, with David Granger, a former army officer and PNC leader, becoming President. This marked the PNC’s return to governance after 23 years in opposition. The 2020 general elections were highly contentious, with allegations of electoral irregularities. After a prolonged legal and political standoff, the PPP/C regained power.

The leader of the PNC is Aubrey Norton.

Alliance For Change (AFC) 

The AFC was created in 2005 by Raphael Trotman of the PNC, Khemraj Ramjattan of the PPP and the late Sheila Holder of the Working People’s Alliance (WPA). 

The leader of the AFC is Nigel Hughes. He was elected leader in June of 2024. He is a lawyer and owns the firm Hughes, Fields, and Stoby. The firm represents ExxonMobil. He was met with demands to resign over conflict of interest, and responded that he would only resign if he was elected to the government. 

Nigel Hughes is married to Catherine Hughes. Mrs. Hughes filed a libel claim against Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo for referring to her as a “lowlife” at a press conference. 

Hughes said that the AFC will be conducting a review of the AFC’s actions in the 2020 elections but wanted the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) to start the process first.

The Exxon contract was signed by the APNU/AFC government.

IV. Guyana's Election Process

In Guyana, the President is elected through a unique process tied directly to parliamentary elections. Here's how it works:

  1. Parliamentary Elections: Guyana operates a unicameral National Assembly with 65 seats. Members are elected for five-year terms using a closed-list proportional representation system. This includes a single nationwide constituency for 40 seats and 10 regional constituencies accounting for 25 seats.
  2. Presidential Candidates: Each political party contesting the parliamentary elections nominates a presidential candidate. These nominations are submitted on Nomination Day, as stipulated by the constitution.
  3. Election Outcome: Voters cast their ballots for party lists during the general elections. The party that secures the plurality of votes in the National Assembly elections has its nominated presidential candidate automatically designated as the President of Guyana. This means the presidency is directly linked to the party's performance in the parliamentary vote.
  4. Term and Term Limits: The President serves a term concurrent with the National Assembly, typically five years, and is limited to two terms in office.

This integrated electoral system ensures that the executive branch is closely aligned with the legislative majority, promoting cohesive governance.

V. What happened during the 2020 Election Scandals?

President Granger and his APNU-AFC [A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) and the Alliance for Change (AFC)] party suffered a vote of no confidence but failed to step down. 

General elections were held over a year later on March 2, 2020. This election was condemned from both inside Guyana and from outside states, and it remained uncalled officially for months. 

The election was plagued with fraud starting with alleged attempts by Region Four Returning Officer Clairmont Mingo to exclude votes from the most populous Region Four area, and inflate votes in favor of the APNU-AFC. President Granger initially claimed victory for the March 2nd election.

The votes were then recounted. The preliminary tabulation showed that the opposition leader, Dr. Mohamed Irfaan Ali of the PPP, garnered 15,416 more votes to win 33 seats in the 65 seat legislature. The release of the official recount report was delayed, and there was an attempt to have the judiciary prevent the release of this report. On June 22, 2020, the Guyana Court of Appeal, however, ruled that it lacked jurisdiction to enjoin the report from being published. It also held that the phrase “more votes cast” in Guyana’s Constitution meant “more valid votes cast” to determine the winner of an election.

On June 23, 2020, Chief Election Officer Keith Lowenfield submitted another recount report to the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) but discarded nearly 115,844 votes. The recount report claimed that the APNU-AFC received 171,825 votes and the PPP received 166,343 votes, contrary to the first report showing that the PPP received more votes than the APNU-AFC. CEO Lowenfield discarded the votes on the basis that he only counted votes which could be verified as “validly” casted.

The PPP then moved the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) to strike the Court of Appeal’s June 22nd order. On July 1, 2020, the CCJ announced that it would issue a ruling as to whether it had jurisdiction to hear the appeal regarding the meaning of “votes cast.” On July 8th, the CCJ proceeded to rule that (1) the Guyana Court of Appeal did not have jurisdiction, (2) the Constitution's clear language did not need interpretation of the phrase “votes cast” to mean “valid votes cast”, and (3) held that the June 23, 2020 Report was invalid for excluding votes deemed not “valid.” The matter returned to GECOM to declare the winner of the recount.

The CEO then sought clarification from GECOM regarding which results to utilize. The CCJ ruled that he must use votes and information furnished by “Returning Officers” of the election. However, the CEO pointed out that the recount was not conducted by Returning Officers. On July 11, 2020, the CEO presented a report that showed a win for the APNU-AFC despite the GECOM chair’s order to utilize the recount tabulation showing that the PPP obtained the most votes. The GECOM Chair then ordered the CEO to submit a (fourth) report utilizing the recount votes.

On July 14, 2020, the day the fourth report was due, key officials left a GECOM meeting because a third court case was filed to prevent GECOM from declaring the election. An APNU-AFC supporter sought to have the election results based on the initial 10 declarations showing that the APNU-AFC received the most votes. The APNU-AFC supporter also contended that the order requiring the National Recount was unconstitutional, and consequently the recount data was improper.

The Chief Justice Roxane George-Wiltshire dismissed the suit. On July 22, 2020, the voter’s counsel filed a formal petition with the Court of Appeal to challenge this ruling. One point of appeal was that GECOM officials altered ballots during the recount. On July 30th, the Court of Appeal denied the petition.

That same week, the OAS Secretary General commented that the election and recount were transparent but the issues stemmed from Region Four Returning Officer Clairmont Mingo, and his alleged attempts to alter the voting results of that district. He then said that the multiple court actions were continued attempts to suppress democracy. The European Union also echoed the same sentiments in an effort to finalize the election.

In late July, the APNU-AFC released a press statement again calling for only valid votes to be tabulated. They claimed that GECOM should not consider what they assert are fraudulent votes. Two private criminal charges were also filed against the Chairperson of GECOM, Justice (Ret’d) Claudette Singh, for alleged malfeasance in public office.

On August 2, 2020, five months after the election, Dr. Mohamed Irfaan Ali was sworn in as President after CEO Lowenfield submitted a report utilizing the recount tabulation,

Guyana Oil Summary 2025

Since 2015, Guyana has experienced a remarkable surge in oil discoveries, with over 30 new finds to date. 

Production began in 2019 at the Stabroek Block, a key area for oil extraction. The oil companies, led by ExxonMobil, have pursued an aggressive drilling campaign targeting multiple developments, including the Yellowtail, Uaru, and Whiptail projects. While Yellowtail and Uaru have already been approved, Whiptail is currently awaiting government approval.

As of now, oil production comes from three primary developments: Liza 1, Liza 2, and Payara, collectively producing 660,000 barrels per day. 

The Stabroek Block license, which currently allows for these operations, will expire in 2027. 

ExxonMobil holds a 45% interest, Hess Guyana Exploration Ltd. owns 30%, and CNOOC holds 25%. 

With an estimated 11 billion barrels of oil in the Stabroek Block, Guyana's oil sector continues to grow, positioning the country as a significant player in the global energy market.

For more details, you can explore these references:

FAQs: Guyana Election 2025 - What You Should Know

1. When will the 2025 Guyana Presidential Election take place?
The election is expected to occur in November or December 2025, though the official date has not been confirmed.

2. Who are the main candidates for the 2025 election?
The leading candidates are:

  • President Irfaan Ali of the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C)
  • Aubrey Norton of the People’s National Congress (PNC)
  • Nigel Hughes of the Alliance For Change (AFC)

3. How does Guyana’s presidential election process work?
The president is elected indirectly:

  • Voters choose a party in the parliamentary elections.
  • The party winning the most seats in the National Assembly has its presidential candidate automatically sworn in as president.

4. What are the key issues for the 2025 elections?
Major issues include:

  • Management of oil revenues
  • Economic equality and wage growth
  • Transparency and governance reforms
  • Energy costs and infrastructure development
  • Social and racial equality

5. What was controversial about the 2020 elections?
The 2020 elections were marred by allegations of electoral fraud and a prolonged legal battle before President Irfaan Ali was sworn in. This led to calls for electoral reforms to improve transparency.

6. What are the major political parties in Guyana?
The three major political parties are:

  • People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C)
  • People’s National Congress (PNC)
  • Alliance For Change (AFC)

7. How are Guyana’s politics influenced by ethnic divisions?
Ethnic loyalties play a significant role:

  • The PPP/C is traditionally supported by Indo-Guyanese.
  • The PNC garners support primarily from Afro-Guyanese.

8. How has oil changed the political landscape in Guyana?
The discovery of oil has heightened debates about revenue management and resource distribution, making it a central topic in political campaigns and policies.

9. What reforms are being proposed for the election process?
Proposals include:

  • Biometric voter registration
  • Enhanced election monitoring
  • Strengthening the independence of the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM)

10. What are the term limits for the presidency in Guyana?
A president can serve a maximum of two five-year terms, as mandated by the constitution.

We will see what the will of the people is later this year!

This post is about the Guyana Election 2025 Summary and What You Should Know.

References

https://guyanachronicle.com/2024/01/06/next-general-elections-likely-to-be-held-nov-2025-vp-jagdeo/

https://www.stabroeknews.com/2024/01/05/news/guyana/general-elections-to-be-held-in-november-2025-jagdeo/

https://op.gov.gy/index.php/presidents-biography/

https://guyanachronicle.com/2014/05/05/east-indian-immigration-1838-1917/

https://dpi.gov.gy/first-lady-he-arya-ali-determined-to-serve-her-country/

https://www.gecom.org.gy/public/home/faqs

https://www.stabroeknews.com/2022/01/01/news/guyana/norton-says-accepts-reality-of-ppp-c-govt/

https://guyanachronicle.com/2024/12/16/hughes-blames-gecom-for-delay-in-reviewing-afcs-role-in-2020-elections-rigging-attempts/

https://guyanachronicle.com/2024/09/08/cathy-hughes-admits-husband-called-her-lowlife-as-libel-trial-against-vp-jagdeo-begins/

https://guyanachronicle.com/2024/06/30/nigel-hughes-elected-afc-leader/

https://demerarawaves.com/2024/06/30/nigel-hughes-will-not-leave-law-firm-now-despite-conflict-of-interest-concerns-with-oil-sector

https://www.kaieteurnewsonline.com/2024/10/01/court-rules-jagdeo-did-not-discriminate-in-calling-cathy-hughes-a-low-life

http://www.torontosaints.com/news/nigel-hughes/25.html 

https://oilnow.gy/featured/exxons-sole-guyana-discovery-for-2024-holds-500-million-boe-says-rystad-energy/

https://www.kaieteurnewsonline.com/2024/12/30/exxonmobil-bullish-about-seizing-remaining-opportunities-in-stabroek-block-before-license-expires-in-2027

https://www.kaieteurnewsonline.com/2024/03/27/guyana-is-one-of-the-most-incredible-success-stories-for-exxon-upstream-president

https://corporate.exxonmobil.com/locations/guyana/guyana-project-overview#GastoEnergyProject%E2%80%93Description

Other Stories

https://guyanachronicle.com/2024/12/25/us-companies-invest-us15b-in-guyana-over-four-years/

By Melissa R. | This content is copyright of West Indian Diplomacy, LLC and may not be reproduced without permission.

She runs West Indian Diplomacy, a Caribbean blog aimed at promoting West Indian history and business in the global marketplace. Melissa has been an attorney for over 10 years. She currently focuses on trademark registration, trademark searches, and office actions. She also has extensive legal experience in the areas of trademarks, copyrights, contracts, and business formations. She owns her own Trademark Law Firm that is virtually based in Florida.

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