GEORGETOWN, Guyana — The People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) has tightened its hold across Guyana’s 10 administrative regions following the conclusion of Regional Democratic Council (RDC) elections, solidifying its dominance in both coastal and hinterland areas.
For the first time in history, the PPP/C secured the chairmanship of Region Four (Demerara–Mahaica) — the country’s most populous and politically significant region — with the election of Clemsford Belgrave, who received 18 votes to eight against A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) candidate, Shaneika Haynes. His deputy is Deoraj Nauth, also of the PPP/C.
The victory marks a major milestone for the governing party, which continues to strengthen its regional influence following its national triumph in the 2025 general and regional elections.
In Region Eight (Potaro–Siparuni), history was made as the country’s first all-female Regional Democratic Council leadership team was elected.
Tercellia John of the PPP/C was chosen chairperson with eight votes to seven in a secret ballot, while Samantha John of APNU was elected vice chairperson unopposed.
Both women are from the Mahdia/Campbelltown area in Sub-Region Two, marking the first time in Guyana’s history that women have simultaneously held both top regional offices.
In Region Ten (Upper Demerara–Upper Berbice), the election for regional chairman ended in a tie, setting the stage for ministerial intervention to break the deadlock.
Dominique Blair of APNU and Mark Goring of the We Invest in Nationhood (WIN) party each received nine votes. The outcome followed a secret ballot in which the PPP/C’s three councillors and the Forward Guyana Movement (FGM)’s lone representative reportedly sided with APNU’s nominee — effectively blocking WIN, which holds the largest single bloc of seats in the region, from securing the chairmanship.
The tie triggers the constitutional mechanism for a deciding vote by Minister of Local Government and Regional Development Priya Manickchand, who is expected to convene a special meeting to determine the outcome.
Regional Leadership Summary — 2025 Regional Democratic Councils
| Region | Chairperson | Party | Vice Chairperson | Party |
| Region One (Barima–Waini) | Brentnol Ashley | PPP/C | Paul Pierre | PPP/C |
| Region Two (Pomeroon–Supenaam) | Devin Mohan | PPP/C | Humance Oodit | PPP/C |
| Region Three (Essequibo Islands–West Demerara) | Inshan Ayube | PPP/C | Anjanie Seebarran | PPP/C |
| Region Four (Demerara–Mahaica) | Clemsford Belgrave | PPP/C | Deoraj Nauth | PPP/C |
| Region Five (Mahaica–Berbice) | Recardo Phillips | PPP/C | Kleon Lindey | PPP/C |
| Region Six (East Berbice–Corentyne) | Junior Basant | PPP/C | Wajid Shaheed | PPP/C |
| Region Seven (Cuyuni–Mazaruni) | June Gittens | PPP/C | Alden Marslowe | PPP/C |
| Region Eight (Potaro–Siparuni) | Tercellia John | PPP/C | Samantha John | APNU |
| Region Nine (Upper Takutu–Upper Essequibo) | Information not yet available | — | Information not yet available | — |
| Region Ten (Upper Demerara–Upper Berbice) | Tie: Dominique Blair (APNU) / Mark Goring (WIN) | — | To be determined (minister to break tie) | — |
From Region One’s hinterland infrastructure to Region Six’s agricultural diversification and Region Four’s urban expansion, the newly constituted councils are expected to play a critical role in implementing the government’s development agenda.
The historic outcome in Region Eight also highlights the growing leadership role of women in Guyana’s governance, setting a precedent for greater inclusion and representation at every level of public service.
As the 2025–2030 councils begin their work, the PPP/C’s regional leadership positions it to deliver on its pledge of equitable growth and prosperity for all Guyanese.