OPINION: The elections horserace field – measuring and weighing

Last Updated on Thursday, 3 July 2025, 18:32 by Writer

By GHK Lall

It’s a crowded field of 19 heading into the September 1 elections horserace. I stand as the unofficial small man’s GECOM and pronounce on some of them, from symbols to standing to stomach for the ugly. US lobby, anybody?

On the inside is the Gold Cup with odds of 1-2. Yes, for every vote cast for the PPP, two are recorded. No steward’s review. From an enamel cup to a gold cup, that’s the PPP. Its cup runneth over with love and care for Guyanese. Just ask Exxon how much! Right next to the very well-received PPP (at the official GECOM) is the plant, the Palm Tree of the PNC. Why did these guys have to go and spoil the landslide by competing? Is this a real competition, with real competition serious about winning? I am still not sure about the PNC, and this is July. There is this puzzle, the PNC might be the only plant that is not a plant. Of the PPP. I am not so sure, for there are those foreigners. Americans they call themselves, and they are known to be good at planting in national elections. On the far outside with a clear run ahead is the animal people. First, it was mistaken for a jaguar, but has now changed stripes. It’s a leopard. For those who never heard of a striped leopard, and in an election contest of all things, welcome to Guyana. Do have a nice day at the races, and don’t stay too long.

Of the others, there are some names that I know from the media, one or two that I have had the privilege of sharing a podium and microphone. Most of them I have never heard of, which has to be a mystery also for voters. I feel for the voters. They are ripe for change, and now they have more than they can manage. All these names, all these symbols and manifestos and platforms to wade through. Best wishes, folks. The Guyanese voter is in for a good time. An oath taken by the man controlling the purse strings, Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo, who should be announcing a cash grant of $200,000 after the elections, but before Xmas, as a warm thank you to Guyanese for returning the PPP back to power. Power is money. And Dr. Jagdeo has both by the oil tanker. Expect the announcement in August in the final push to overpower undecided, fence-sitting voters. Dissatisfied Guyanese would have 200,000 incentives to vote. Jagdeo could promise dollars for he has them. The PNC can only promise, because that’s all it has. Times change.

As I went through the parties and the names of the principals, I weighed a private question now made public. How many of them are PPP (Jagdeo’s moles)? How many are Exxon’s sleepers? It is the kind of Guyana from past elections, and the Guyana that flourishes today. All for Exxon and America, even if that means Guyanese are the sacrificial lambs. Exxon gets to eat mutton, while surviving Guyanese get a lambskin coat or gown, which is just the ticket for the heat.

I must be frank. What are these elections about, when not one of the contestants, all patriots and all for Guyanese, refrain from making oil the spearhead and centerpiece of their elections program? Oil is the thunderbolt that hit Guyana, and look what it did. Instead of making their ears ring with the sound of cash registers, it incinerated the poor people. Their hopes. Their aspirations. Who has made, or will be making the greatest national patrimony by miles the highlight of their campaign? Everyone will be jawboning the Guyanese public about the cost of living, how citizens deserve better, and the prosperity to come under their watch, if given a chance. Excellent! Not one of them, from Jagdeo to Norton to Hughes to the new man to newer new people in the elections field, is saying how.

Grab a hold of that smoothness. It’s like the Queen of England (sorry, the king) gushing about riches, but scrupulously sidestepping referring to the crown jewels. Guyana’s Koh-I-Noor is oil, but not one of the elections contestants wish to make Alistair Routledge develop heartburn and report them to Mr. Trump. So, they steer away from that minefield and attack each other. PPP, PNC, and the seductive leopard man. It’s a real circus, the elections of this season. The WIN leopard barking up the PNC tree and waiting to spring and upset the PPP cup. It is what I call the beauty of symmetry. Whoever takes offense can argue with Jagdeo and Norton. I am not competing, though I am tempted. Best wishes to all parties, whether they are for Guyana or for Exxon, for the Guyanese people or for themselves. Vote wisely, Guyanese. Once.