By Shaniya Harding and Faith Greene

THE major political parties were not the only ones making their presence known on Nomination Day. Several small and newly formed political parties also took to the streets with their leaders and supporters on Monday, determined to make a mark in the upcoming elections.

Among them was the newly formed Forward Guyana Movement (FGM), standing out in vibrant purple among a sea of red and green. Party leader Amanza Walton-Desir said she is hopeful, not just about the party’s list, but also about its policies, which prioritise Guyana’s youth and women.

Speaking to members of the media just before submitting her party’s list of candidates, Walton-Desir who is the presidential candidate, shared that she and fellow party leaders Nigel London and Dorwain Bess were proud of the work they had done since launching the party. ⁠“We are feeling really, really well. I mean, I don’t think you understand the depth of pride that we feel here today,” she said. “It was less than 21 days ago that we announced the Forward Guyana Movement.”

In just three weeks, the FGM was able to put together a list of candidates contesting in seven of Guyana’s 10 administrative regions, an achievement Walton-Desir described as a victory in itself. “You know, you have to participate in a minimum of six regions to qualify nationally. We were able to find candidates and nominators from seven regions in 21 days. And so, for us, I mean, that’s a victory right there.”

While acknowledging that the Forward Guyana Movement is not a well-established party, Walton-Desir said they have a growing support base and “boots on the ground.” However, she raised concerns about the Nomination Day process and procedures implemented by the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM), stating that newer movements are at a disadvantage. ⁠“We are here in gratitude. We are so grateful. Now, we have another hurdle to cross, and that is GECOM,” she said. “We’ve been airing our concerns that newer movements are being put at a disadvantage because of what occurred here today in terms of the order of admission.”

Sharing similar sentiments was FGM’s prime ministerial candidate and leader of The People’s Movement (TPM), Nigel London, who told reporters that it is his firm belief that there should be a “clean, healthy process, that is clear and void of discrimination.”

According to London, representation concerns all parties, “not big, small, new, old parties. I’m of the view that all parties should have equal rights, regardless of how we approach this process.”

He stated that the three main principals of his political movement, are what he considers a “healthy coalition.” The Forward Guyana Movement, he said, unites three unique forces for change. These include FGM, TPM and the Vigilant Political Action Committee (VPAC), which according to him are bringing together forward visionary leadership that is committed to transforming the way politics works in Guyana.
“We’re not being subsumed in any way; we’re all functioning as one. We make decisions as one, and that I think is very healthy for the culture, I should say, political culture of our party,” London remarked.

One of the highlights of the party’s list, as Walton-Desir pointed out, is its strong female representation.⁠

“The other beautiful thing about our list is that our list is actually 67 per cent women. So, we’re very proud of that fact. There’s a minimum requirement of a third, and we have exceeded that. We have some vibrant, young women that you will see.”

Another small party making its presence felt on Nomination Day was the Assembly for Liberty and Prosperity (ALP), led by former APNU+AFC minister Simona Broomes. Contesting independently, the former parliamentarian said she is confident in the list submitted by her party.

⁠“We are confident that our list will be approved and that the symbol the eagle in the shield will be on the ballot paper come the first of September, so that you and all Guyanese can vote for us, for that good change,” the presidential candidate added.

Speaking on the party’s platform, Broomes explained that the ALP aims to put everyday Guyanese at the forefront. She dismissed the idea of class divisions and said that all candidates are valued equally. “The Assembly for Liberty and Prosperity will be the voice to the voiceless. It’s about assembling the people. We’re not going to get into a whole class arrangement, because a vendor is equally important as a lawyer. A security guard is equally important as a doctor. An engineer is equally important as a sweeper/cleaner.”

Long-standing political candidate and leader of the Horizon and Star (HAS) party, Dr. Hubert Maloney, was the sole candidate for his party on Nomination Day. He told reporters that he is hoping that he gets a seat at the level of the Regional Democratic Council (RDC).

Nomination Day was a milestone in the electoral calendar as it marked the submission of lists of candidates by those political parties contesting in the September 1 General and Regional Elections. Seven parties were able to submit their lists of candidates. These parties were the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C), A Partnership For National Unity (APNU), Horizon and Star (HAS), Alliance For Change (AFC), Assembly For Liberty and Prosperity (ALP), Forward Guyana Movement and We Invest In Nationhood (WIN).