GEORGETOWN, Guyana — President Dr. Mohamed Irfaan Ali says the government is prepared for local government elections but maintains that outstanding disputes over the composition of the Guyana Elections Commission must be resolved through the appropriate constitutional and legal processes.
The president’s comments come amid continuing disagreements over opposition representation on GECOM following the September 2025 general election.
We Invest in Nationhood, or WIN, emerged from the elections as the largest opposition party, securing 16 seats in the National Assembly, while A Partnership for National Unity obtained 12.
However, three opposition-nominated GECOM commissioners associated with APNU remain in office.
The disagreement has raised questions about whether the commission’s opposition representation should reflect the new parliamentary configuration.
According to Demerara Waves, GECOM Chairperson Justice Claudette Singh has maintained that the commission’s composition must be constitutionally sound and consistent with Article 161 of the Constitution.
The provision governs the appointment of commissioners, including the role of the opposition leader and consultation with parliamentary opposition parties.
APNU has maintained that its commissioners enjoy constitutionally protected tenure, while WIN has argued for representation reflecting its position as the largest opposition party.
Speaking Friday, Ali said he would not intervene in the opposition’s internal decisions.
He noted that Guyana has previously had several opposition parties represented in Parliament and argued that such parties must determine how to address questions of representation.
The president said the courts remain available to resolve disputes requiring legal interpretation.
He also reiterated his preference for the wider constitutional reform process to address institutional changes.
Ali did not announce a date for local government elections.