In a display of steadfast dedication to fostering a free, fair, and transparent electoral process, the Guyana Trades Union Congress (GTUC) convened with the Working People’s Alliance (WPA) on Wednesday, February 12, 2025. Their discussions focused on critical issues ahead of the forthcoming General and Regional Elections. Following the meeting, both organizations released a joint statement highlighting the urgent need to address major electoral concerns, particularly the creation of a clean Voters List and the adoption of biometric systems, which they believe are vital for ensuring the integrity of the 2025 elections.
The GTUC took this opportunity to reflect on the historical importance of the one-man-one-vote principle, recalling its inception in 1926 when the trade union movement, led by Hubert Nathaniel Critchlow, began its struggle for this fundamental right. This principle, now embedded in the Constitution of Guyana, is a cherished entitlement for all citizens, and the GTUC reaffirmed its commitment to protecting it by advocating for a fair and transparent electoral framework.
During their discussions, the GTUC and WPA recognized the pressing need for a broader national dialogue on electoral reforms. They proposed engaging all relevant stakeholders—including political parties, faith-based organizations, youth and women’s groups, NGOs, and the general populace—to ensure that diverse perspectives are incorporated in the reformative process.
Both organizations firmly asserted that elections are fundamentally the property of the people and should genuinely reflect their will. The GTUC and WPA pledged, whether collaboratively or independently, to work tirelessly to fulfill the public’s aspiration for a more robust and credible electoral system in 2025 and beyond.