— Says venue denials were due to prior bookings

MAYOR of Anna Regina, Devin Mohan, has dismissed as “false” and “garbage” allegations by the We Invest in Nationhood (WIN) party that the Town Council engaged in political victimisation by denying the party use of public venues for its upcoming rally.

According to Mayor Mohan, the venues in question, the Anna Regina Car Park and the Charity Community Centre Ground, were already booked for private events, and the council could not cancel those arrangements to accommodate WIN’s late request.

“The truth is, these venues were booked well in advance by private persons for their own events. The Town Council simply could not cancel those bookings to accommodate WIN’s request. This has nothing to do with politics,” Mohan stated, adding that the council operates strictly on a first-come, first-served basis.
He further added that, “This administration does not engage in political discrimination. These accusations are a deliberate attempt to create a false narrative and discredit the work we are doing for the community.”

The mayor noted that all venue bookings are properly documented and available for review, underscoring the council’s commitment to transparency.
WIN’s presidential candidate, Azruddin Mohamed, had accused local authorities of obstructing the party’s ability to meet with Essequibo residents ahead of its August 10, 2025, rally.
Mohamed claimed that the Anna Regina Car Park, recently used by the ruling People’s Progressive Party (PPP) for a rally, was refused on the grounds that it was already booked.

He added that the Charity Community Centre Ground was also denied to WIN, with officials citing it was waterlogged and unsuitable for public gatherings due to recent weather conditions.
Mohamed described the sequence of denials as “ongoing victimisation,” saying it was painful to be unable to return to his ancestral home of Johanna Cecilia to meet with residents, including

rice and cattle farmers, coconut cultivators, timber harvesters, and housewives.