Norton warns PPPC of “bad” behaviour if elections are rigged

Last Updated on Saturday, 16 August 2025, 10:51 by Writer

Leader of A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) Aubrey Norton on Friday night warned the incumbent People’s Progressive Party Civic (PPPC) of tough action of it retains political power by rigging the September 1 general and regional elections.

“We are prepared to behave bad if illegalities occur,” he said at a rally held at Vreed-en-Hoop, West Bank Demerara without elaborating on exactly what would be done.

Directing his remarks to the ruling party, he said “you are not going to be allowed to rig these elections.” Mr Norton said APNU polling agents would be scrutinising the process to ensure that nothing illegal happens.

Mr Norton reminded Guyanese that he did not give into demands for street protests because the PPP was looking for a “clash” between Afro-Guyanese and Indo-Guyanese. While he called on supporters to ensure that no one is allowed to do things that would cause ethnic problems in Guyana, he said the PPPC would face tough action. “In the same breath, I warn this government that any attempt to rig this elections will have serious consequences,” he said.

Referring to late Guyanese singer Dave Martin and composer’s lyrics in the song, Not a Blade of Grass, “we are a peaceful people, we ain’t lookin for trouble”, Mr Norton said “if trouble come we ain’t go back down.”

The APNU presidential candidate said Guyanese were fed up of domination barefacedness, and contempt over the past five years.

The PPPC and the Guyana Elections Commission believe there are sufficient safeguards to ensure a free, fair and transparent elections.

The opposition fears that the size of the voters list, totalling more than 700,000 names, can be used to facilitate multiple voting and voter impersonation.

Mr Norton restated that APNU’s aim is to use the oil revenues to fight poverty and build a non-oil economy to ensure Guyana’s economic stability and sustainability after all the oil is pumped out. Guyana so far has proven reserves of more than 11 billion barrels of oil equivalent.