AS the next election cycle approaches, the opposition parties of Guyana—primarily the People’s National Congress-Reform (PNC-R) and the A Partnership for National Unity + Alliance For Change (APNU+AFC)—find themselves at the crossroads.
The scars from the blatant attempts to undermine democracy during the 2020 General and Regional Elections are still fresh in the minds of the electorate. Rather than acknowledging their past transgressions, the opposition appears poised to repeat history, risking further disillusionment among voters.

The events of 2020 were a stark reminder of the fragility of democratic institutions in our country. Guyanese citizens cast their votes, expecting their voices to be heard and respected. However, what followed was a five-month saga of delays, legal battles, and allegations of electoral misconduct.
The international community watched in disbelief as the then-ruling coalition engaged in actions that sought to subvert the will of the people. This betrayal not only undermined their integrity but also tarnished the collective reputation of the opposition.

Dominic Gaskin, son-in-law of former President David Granger and former AFC executive, recently expressed a sentiment that should resonate with all opposition members: There must be a commitment to respect the outcome of elections, regardless of whether they lead to victory.
Gaskin’s words are a call for accountability—one that highlights the urgent need for the opposition to embrace democratic norms rather than resorting to the tactics of denial and discrediting the electoral process.

The actions of the APNU+AFC during the 2020 elections revealed a systemic unwillingness to accept defeat. International observers and a Commission of Inquiry provided irrefutable evidence of attempts to manipulate the electoral process, led by key figures like Chief Election Officer Keith Lowenfield.

These efforts to “steal” the election, as described in the CoI report, not only failed but also permanently alienated a significant portion of the electorate. The growing sentiment, as Gaskin noted, is that the odds are heavily stacked against the opposition for the upcoming elections, and they may have “lost the 2025 elections in advance.”

In a democratic society, the role of the opposition is not merely to challenge the ruling party but to accept the outcome of elections gracefully and work towards winning public support in the future.

The repeated failure to do so risks a continuous cycle of mistrust. The opposition must recognise that discrediting the electoral process only erodes its own credibility and the foundations of democracy.
For the sake of democracy in Guyana, it is imperative that the opposition reflect on their past actions and the impact of those actions on the electorate’s trust.

The path forward must be one of integrity and respect for the electoral process. If they continue to ignore the lessons of history, they risk not only their political future but also the very democratic principles that define our nation.
The people deserve an opposition that stands ready to engage in constructive dialogue, to respect their choices, and to work towards a united and prosperous Guyana.