AFC, APNU set March 31 to decide on whether to contest elections jointly

Last Updated on Wednesday, 22 January 2025, 18:02 by Writer

Leader of the Alliance For Change (AFC), Nigel Hughes Tuesday night said his party and the People’s National Congress Reform (PNCR)-led A Partnership Unity (APNU) have set themselves March 31 as the deadline by which they would decide on whether they would jointly contest the 2025 general and regional elections.

“What the agreement contemplates is that we must arrive at a position by that dated, failing which we don’t go or if we do arrive at an agreement then the shape and scope of what we arrive at will determine what happens next,” he said.

AFC Chairman David Patterson added that the agreement provides for a joint opposition approach to the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) to ensure credible elections and policies.

A well-placed source said Monday’s agreement binds the political organisations to do “joint political work” while retaining their independence and individual grassroots party mobilisation. If all goes well, they will develop a comprehensive political framework for parties to ensure that all demographics are targeted and serviced adequately, develop a mechanism for coordinated public relations communications for integrated messaging and narrative, and develop a high-level national campaign management team to be guided by a political work programme.

With assistance from Jamaican political strategist, Alston Stewart, Mr Hughes said the two political organisations have decided to explore the possibility of presenting a “single team” to contest the polls widely expected to be in October or November. Mr Stewart had played an integral role in negotiating the February 2015 coalition accord for elections in that year. He said the AFC remained committed to contesting the 2025 general and regional elections on its own or with other parties, “if necessary”.

Mr Hughes said Monday’s agreement that he and APNU Chairman, Aubrey Norton signed was on “life support” but declined to say what was needed to revive the chances of a coalition between APNU and AFC. “There is a confidentiality clause in the agreement and I would not want to seek to breach that by disclosing what those conditions would necessarily be at this time. It has the risk of being far more prejudicial than helpful so forgive me,” he said. He stressed that “trust and confidentiality for us are particularity important for us”.

He made it clear that no decision has been reached on who would be the presidential candidate and reiterated that that would have to be backed by “scientific means and other criteria.” Mr Patterson said his party picked Mr Hughes unanimously and unopposed as leader.

The PNCR’s Congress, its highest decision-making body, last year decided that Mr Norton must be the presidential candidate and only he could decide on any change.

Regarding safeguards to avoid being mistreated by APNU again, Mr Hughes said “we’re very keen to learn the lessons of what has happened before and I have a personal responsibility to ensure that they are not repeated,”