GEORGETOWN, Guyana – The leader of the main opposition, A Partnership for National Unity (APNU), Aubrey Norton, Saturday all but conceded that the coalition had lost the September 1 general and regional elections, but vowed to continue to fight for democratic rule in Guyana.
Aubrey Norton in his broadcast on Saturday (CMC Photo)The Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) is expected to a make official later on Saturday when it meets at 11.00 pm (local time), the victory of the ruling People’s Progressive/Civic (PPP/C) clearing the way for President Irfaan Ali to be sworn in for a second consecutive five-year term. He is expected to take the oath of office on Sunday at 10.00 am (Local time).
In a broadcast on social media, Norton thanked members and supporters of the APBU , saying he was taking the “opportunity to wish all Guyanese the best, regardless of the party you supported.
“In spite of the manifest deficiencies in the electoral system, including a bloated voters’ list and the lack of biometrics, our party decided to participate in the elections held on the 1st September, 2025.”
Norton said that the deficiencies “undermine any basis for the creation of a framework for free, fair and transparent elections” and that the number of irregularities which “have been discovered and documented gives legitimacy to the position that the elections were NOT free and fair.
“These elections did not reflect the will of the people of Guyana,” he said in the broadcast.
Norton, who is also the leader of the People’s National Congress /Reform (PNCR) and is most likely to lose his position as Opposition Leader in the new Parliament, amid reports that the We Invest in Nationhood (WIN) party of controversial businessman, Azruddin Mohamed, had secured more seats in the opposition, defended the decision of the APNU to contest the polls.
“The clear purpose of the APNU coalition was to contest the elections, and if it were victorious, amongst other things was to change the electoral system and the other procedures to ensure free and fair elections.
“The inadequacies and imperfections of the existing electoral system are well known, locally, regionally and internationally. A brief glance of the report of the international observer groups which have monitored elections in Guyana have repeatedly identified and pointed to, for example, it’s well-documented that the 1997 elections in Guyana were marred by controversy and allegations of fraud, particularly regarding the tabulation of results in Region #4 (Georgetown).”
Norton said that the Organization of American States (OAS) observed these elections” and criticized the vote-counting process, contributing to concerns about the integrity and credibility of the outcome”.
He said for instance, the OAS documented irregularities and procedural concerns in the tabulation process.
Norton said that the European Union’s Election Observation Mission has been scathing in its report of the polls “saying that though election day was peaceful, the playing field was not even.
“EU Chief Observer Robert Biedron accused the PPP/C of blurring the line between state and party using state resources and unchecked financing to give itself a massive head start.”
Norton said that by contesting the election, “our party has retained occupancy of political space that provides the opportunity to contest against the dictatorial tendencies of the PPP/C and advance the cause of social and economic justice, free and fair elections and a democratic culture in Guyana.
“As a major political party, it is necessary that we maintain and utilize that space for the ongoing mobilization of our people and all relevant forces in order to attain the kind of society in which the mores and the culture of democracy are firmly embedded.”
He said that as a consequence of last Monday’s elections, “which were NOT free and fair, our party has found itself in virgin territory of not being the governing party or the main opposition party.
“APNU, of which the PNC is a major party, has a wealth of experience in weathering the political storm. We will come through this and we will be stronger and better.
“We will continue the journey towards the goal of making this society a prosperous and equal one in which all of our citizens can enjoy all of the rights and benefits of the national resources of the nation. I give you the assurance that APNU will never abandon or desert you, however difficult the circumstances.”
Norton said that he is sure that the members of the coalition “will not disagree with me if I reach for an historical moment in the politics of this country”
He recalled that the PNCR was also knocked down more than six decades ago, even though it had managed to win 41.1 percent of the electorate.
“Yet the PNC picked itself up, and through the committed support of its members and with hard work and dedication, it succeeded in achieving government approximately three years later.
“After the PNC’s major loss in 1961, the leader of the party, L.F.S. Burnham, at a mass rally at Bourda Green, asked his supporters, “Will you not watch with me for one hour?” Similarly, I appeal to all APNU supporters to watch with us at this critical hour.
“We are like the oak tree. We will re-emerge better and stronger,” Norton said in the broadcast.
