With just months to go before Guyana’s General and Regional Elections, Vice President and People’s Progressive Party (PPP) General Secretary Dr. Bharrat Jagdeo has called on the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) to take decisive action against political parties accused of threatening individuals and fraudulently listing backers on their nomination lists.

Speaking at a press conference at Freedom House, Dr. Jagdeo expressed deep concern over reports that some political aspirants are intimidating citizens to prevent them from supporting rival parties. He also highlighted instances where individuals’ names are being added to party lists without their genuine consent—sometimes under false pretenses, such as being told they are signing up for sports teams or cash grants, only to be used as nominators for a party’s candidacy.

“GECOM should take firm action against any party threatening people not to go on any party’s list. They should also take action against parties fraudulently putting backers on their list,” Dr. Jagdeo stated.

He cautioned citizens to be vigilant and not fall victim to deceptive tactics as parties rush to meet the strict submission requirements for election participation. These requirements include submitting an approved party symbol, a National Top-Up List with at least 42 candidates and between 300 and 330 nominators, and at least six Geographical Constituencies’ Lists, each with 150 to 175 nominators from their respective areas.

Dr. Jagdeo stressed that such unscrupulous actions undermine the democratic process and must not be tolerated. He assured that the PPP would closely monitor developments in the coming weeks and reiterated the need for GECOM to enforce the rules to protect the integrity of the elections and the will of the electorate.