‘WIN gives government 48hr ultimatum’

Oct 13, 2025 News

— threatens court action over suspension of Region 10 elections

WIN Mark Goring

(Kaieteur News) – Attorney-at-law Siand Dhurjon, acting on behalf of members of the We Invest in Nationhood (WIN) party, has issued a formal notice to the Clerk of the Region 10 Regional Democratic Council (RDC), Dwight John, demanding that the election process for Chairman and Vice Chairman be resumed within 48 hours or face court action.

In a letter dated October 12, 2025, Dhurjon, representing WIN’s elected councillors—Mark Goring, Denzel Chapman, Tamicka Duke, Nandy Miriam Fiedtkou, Michelle Hope, Leola Narine, Yoland Nedd, Judith Wade-Martin, and Hubert Williams—contended that John’s decision to suspend the election process was “ultra vires, contrary to statute, arbitrary, unreasonable and otherwise illegal.”

The lawyer’s letter follows the Region 10 RDC election held on October 10, which ended in a tie between WIN’s candidate, Mark Goring, and APNU’s Dominique Blair. After the tie, John announced that the matter would be referred to the Minister of Local Government for a “deliberation” and “casting vote.”

Dhurjon has objected to this approach, stating that “You are hereby advised that your suspension of the election process of the RDC Chairman and your intention to seek the Minister’s ‘deliberation, pronouncement and casting vote’ is ultra vires, contrary to statute, arbitrary, unreasonable and otherwise illegal. There is no longer any power held by the Minister to unilaterally determine and impose the Chairmanship of any Regional Democratic Council, without more.”

He further advised that the Clerk must follow the procedures outlined under section 20(6)(a) to (h) of the Local Democratic Organs Act, Cap. 28:09, which provide for multiple rounds of voting to break a tie, and, if necessary, the final selection of a Chairman “by lot through a public process the Chairman.”

The attorney warned that failure to reconvene the council to lawfully complete the election within 48 hours will result in legal proceedings being filed in the Supreme Court to compel compliance. He also cautioned the Minister of Local Government, who was copied on the correspondence, to “refrain from treading upon any path of illegality,” noting that she could also be named as a respondent in any court action should she intervene improperly.

Voting for the Chairman was conducted by secret ballot. Goring raised concerns about this mechanism being used instead of a show of hands. However, John dismissed those concerns and proceeded with the ballot process.

Only two nominations were made for Goring and Blair. The count ended with a tie nine votes each for Goring and Blair. REO John explained, “According to Chapter 28:09, when there is a tie for chairmanship in any regional council elections, the Minister of Local Government and Regional Development, the power has been vested in him or her, in this case her to, after being written to by the RDC explaining what has happened, she will deliberate and give her pronouncement on this.” He added that this must occur before nominations for Vice Chairman can be conducted. The proceedings were then adjourned until the minister’s decision is made.

Discover more from Kaieteur News

Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.

Mark Goring, PPPC, Region 10 elections, We Invest in Nationhood, win

Latest News