Opposition leader writes President on new GECOM nominees

Jul 03, 2026 News

(Kaieteur News) – The Opposition Leader, Azruddin Mohamed, has formally written to President Ifraan Ali, advising him of his decision to nominate three lawyers to serve as opposition representatives on the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM).

The nominees: Senior Counsel Roysdale Forde, Siand Dhurjon and Damien Da Silva were selected to represent the We Invest in Nationhood (WIN) party after Mohamed completed a consultation process with opposition stakeholders.

Opposition leader writes President on new GECOM nominees

Opposition Chief Whip Tabitha Sarabo-Halley

Opposition Chief Whip and WIN parliamentarian Tabitha Sarabo-Halley confirmed that the letter was dispatched to the President on Tuesday. She said while Mohamed invited input from other opposition figures, including recommendations from Forward Guyana Movement leader Amanza Walton, he ultimately retained his original slate of nominees. The party is now awaiting the President’s response before deciding on its next course of action.

“We had to go through the process of consultation, so that that letter that was sent to Mr. [Aubrey] Norton and to Amanza [Walton] was to start the consultation process,” Sarabo-Halley said adding that even though the opposition leader made his proposal, he still allowed for persons to make recommendations.

According to the Opposition Chief Whip, the Opposition Leader was able to examine the proposal made by Ms. Walton but ultimately decided to stick with his initial nominees.

Mohamed had written to the leaders of A Partnership for National Unity (APNU, Aubrey Norton of his preferred nominees on June 10, 2026.

In his letter, the opposition leader noted the increasing need for three new commissioners of GECOM to be appointed.

According to Mohamed, the matter is to be treated with urgency in light of the national obligation placed on GECOM for Local Government Elections to be conducted at the earliest opportunity.

President Ifraan Ali

He reminded in accordance to Article 161(3) (b) of the Constitution, the purpose of the opposition leader’s advisory role is to ensure that the parliamentary opposition enjoys meaningful representation and confidence within the elections commission.

To this end, Mohamed said he is considering advising the president to appoint the three lawyers to represent the opposition at the level of the GECOM.

He explained in the letter that “… constitutional purpose would be substantially undermined if the largest parliamentary opposition were indefinitely bound by appointments purportedly made at the instance of the former opposition leadership representing a different political mandate.”

The opposition leader said that he has been advised and presently considers that the constitution contemplates that the seats of the three opposition-advised members of GECOM have become vacant by operation of law, on account of their tenures having come to an end and being spent in the circumstances of a new principal opposition and a completely novel parliamentary configuration.

Mohamed noted that the situation persisted acceptably only because of the then-prevailing two-party politics.

He asserted “As you would be aware, the appointments of the previous commissioners, namely Mr. Charles Corbin, Desmond Trotman, and Vincent Alexander, were advised upon by the previous opposition leader from a different political party, and they do not reflect the makeup of the opposition’s parliamentary configuration at present.”

Norton had insisted that there is no vacancy for new opposition commissioners within GECOM.

“As I have said before no vacancy exists, as far I am aware unless the current commissioners die or resign, those seats are filled,” Norton stated. He said that at this time there is nothing that can be done to cause the men to vacate the seats.

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GECOM, nominees, Opposition Leader, Roysdale Forde, Siand Dhurjon, We Invest in Nationhood

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