— elected Chair, Dr Bandhu re-elected party leader

DR Vishnu Bandhu was unanimously re-elected leader of the United Republican Party (URP) when members of the United Republican Party (URP) held their general elections at the party’s head office, Liberty House, at Vreed-en-Hoop, West Coast Demerara, on Saturday.

According to a release, founder and former high-ranking executive member of The New Movement (TNM), one of the new political parties formed to contest the March 2, 2020, General and Regional Elections, Dr. Daniel Josh Kanhai, was elected Chairman of the party.

Other persons elected to the URP executive are Eon Halls, Vice-President; Pastor Marcia Lewis, General Secretary; Movika Balkaran, Assistant General Secretary; Junia Brijraj, Treasurer; Jagranie Debi, Assistant Treasurer; Rawle Aaron, Public Relations Officer; Christopher Bianchini, Organizing Secretary; Gaitri Maraj, Assistant Organising Secretary; Sara Beria, Youth Leader;  and Baanmatti Balkaran, Women’s Leader.

Elected as trustees were Ganesh Rajkumar, Haresh Singh and Roop Kumar Persaud.

Dr. Bandhu in his feature address told party members who turned out in their numbers at the party’s headquarters, Liberty House, that the URP intends to remain relevant in the political landscape of the country. He gave a synopsis of the party’s existence.

He said, “I promise that the United Republican Party will continue to fight for justice and equality for all in Guyana.” The party leader emphasised that the party is happy to invite onboard “young blood” to take the ideas and concepts of the party to the masses.

He applauded young political activist Dr. Josh Kanhai for coming on board and charged him and the other elected members to give their best and to deliver to the people, a country that all can be happy to live in.

Dr. Bandhu was adamant that campaigning for 2025 elections must begin now if the URP is to make a significant impact on those elections.

Newly elected Chairman Dr. Josh Kanhai said: “I am elated to be a part of the URP and I am thankful for the confidence my fellow members have placed in me by electing me as Chairman. The URP as a third force is much needed, for we will strive to create the balance as well as continue to fight for equal justice and rights for all Guyanese. We will strive to secure a future for our children and grandchildren and we will do so in the spirit of teamwork;  the organisation is nothing without a dedicated team. We will build each other and upon that we will stand firm and keep moving forward.”

The URP contested the 2020 National and Regional elections in all 10 administrative regions. During the period following the elections, the URP was very determined that justice be served, thus, the URP participated in the 2020 national recount process, helping to ensure that any attempt to derail the elections was not successful, the release concluded.