–process hailed as smooth

THE Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM), on Monday, reported that Nomination Day held at Umana Yana was conducted successfully with a total of seven political parties submitting their lists of candidates ahead of the September 1 elections.

GECOM made this known in a press statement, in which it also commended all participating parties for their orderly conduct and constructive engagement throughout the day.
At the close of nominations, all submitted lists were securely transferred to GECOM’s data processing centre.

“In line with our commitment to electoral integrity, all data is being carefully entered into a secure processing system. Each list undergoes thorough verification and validation, including cross-checks against the Revised List of Electors, examination of nominators and confirmation of candidate eligibility,” the release added.
Further, the commission went on to note that by July 15, 2025, at 24:00 hours, the Chief Elections Officer (CEO), Vishnu Persaud will notify all political parties whether any information submitted is found to be defective and needs to be corrected.

Subsequently, all political parties will have up to 24:00 hours on the following day to make their final submissions.
The seven parties that submitted lists on Monday are, A Partnership for National Unity (APNU), People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C), Alliance For Change (AFC), Assembly for Liberty and

Prosperity (ALP), Forward Guyana Movement, We Invest in Nationhood (WIN) and the Horizon and Star Party.
While only seven parties submitted symbols, the commission, just weeks prior, approved 21 symbols which were submitted by political parties that were hopeful to contest the upcoming election.

Meanwhile, CEO Persaud, at the close of Nomination Day, while speaking to members of the press, stated that the process was conducted smoothly throughout the day.
He disclosed that statutorily, the process should come to a close on Thursday, even as the commission is scheduled on Friday to have the final lists approved, with all the candidates informed.

Subsequent to the approval of the necessary lists, the commission will move to having the ballot papers designed, as all logistical work in preparation for the election is underway.
In the lead up to the election, Persaud said there are currently 2,785 polling stations earmarked thus far, which he stated is a definite increase from 2020, as the number of voters to a polling station has been restricted to 400 per polling station as opposed to 450 in the past.

Meanwhile, as preparations get underway, he disclosed that thus far the commission has been contacted by some observer missions interested in coming in to observe the election.
At this time, Persaud indicated that the Commonwealth, CARICOM and the EU, along with the Carter Centre, which is already in Guyana, have indicated their interest in observing the election here.