4 parties sign ERC code of conduct ahead of E-day

Aug 06, 2025 News

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Kaieteur News – Out of the six political parties contesting the upcoming September 1 general and regional elections, only four have signed the Ethnic Relations Commission’s (ERC) Code of Conduct, which is intended to promote peace, unity, and responsible campaigning during the election period.

The signing ceremony took place on Tuesday at the Arthur Chung Conference Centre (ACCC), where party leaders and representatives pledged to uphold mutual respect, reject divisive rhetoric, and prioritise national interest throughout the campaign season.

The parties that signed the code were the Alliance for Change (AFC), the People’s Progressive Party Civic (PPP/C), the Assembly of Liberty and Prosperity (ALP), and We Invest in Nationhood (WIN). The A Partnership for National Unity (APNU), led by Aubrey Norton, and the Forward Guyana Movement (FGM), led by Amanza Walton-Desir, did not attend or sign the agreement.

Contacted by Kaieteur News, APNU’s Norton made it clear that his party would not be signing the code, citing bias within the ERC. “The APNU made it very clear that we are not going to sign any code of conduct because the Ethnic Relations Commission is biased. When PPP people violate the conduct, nothing happens. But as soon as the APNU does something, they make an issue out of it,” Norton said. He stressed that the ERC is not an impartial body and therefore lacks the moral authority to request parties to sign such a document. Nonetheless, Norton assured that APNU will continue to operate within the confines of the law.

At press time, FGM presidential candidate Amanza Walton-Desir had not provided a reason for her party’s absence at the signing event, however, she promised to issue a statement in due course.

In a statement following the ceremony, the ERC reaffirmed its constitutional mandate to promote ethnic harmony, safeguard national unity, and support peaceful democratic processes. Chairman of the ERC, Shaikh Moeenul Hack, emphasised the need for responsible leadership and national solidarity. “Let us also reaffirm that the political space in Guyana must never be reduced to hostility or intimidation. It must remain one of dignity, responsibility, and decency, where all citizens feel safe to participate and express themselves without fear,” Hack said. He described the code of conduct as not merely a commitment to the ERC but as a solemn promise to the people of Guyana to campaign peacefully, avoid hate speech, and act in the national interest over partisan ambition.

Hack further stated that the primary aim of the code of conduct is to ensure that all political parties operate within the rule of law and encourage their supporters to do the same. While acknowledging the ERC’s own imperfections, Hack emphasised that these flaws should not be used as excuses to create division but instead be met with political maturity and restraint. “The true strength of a democracy is not merely tested at the ballot box, but in how its leaders conduct themselves before, during, and after elections,” he said.

WIN raises concerns over attacks from PPP/C

During the remarks session at the signing, WIN party representative Hana Khamelia Mohamed voiced her party’s support for the ERC’s principles of peace, tolerance, and political decency. However, she also raised serious concerns about the lack of action by the ERC regarding attacks on WIN candidates and supporters, allegedly by the PPP/C government. “We cannot sign in silence. We must speak honestly about the reality we continue to face. The incumbent PPP/C government has repeatedly and openly violated the spirit and letter of this very code. We call the commissioners attention to the constant and the deliberate discrediting of our presidential candidate Azrudin Mohammed through coordinated, online smeared campaigns and state affiliated messaging. These attacks are meant to diminish his credibility and silence the hope he represents for so many,” she said.

Mohamed also highlighted the targeted harassment of Muslim female leaders within WIN, claiming they face relentless cyberbullying and online stalking with racial and religious undertones. “We are specifically concerned about the silence of religious organizations who have failed to condemn these gender and bigoted attacks,” she added. She further criticized the PPP’s alleged use of children in political rallies, calling it a deeply troubling practice that exploits minors for political optics.

In addition, Mohamed accused the ruling party of engaging in intimidation tactics and violating both the Representation of the People Act and the Criminal Law (Offences) Act. “It is unlawful to threaten, obstruct, or harass anyone exercising their political rights. These are not isolated incidents. They are part of a deliberate campaign by the ruling party to suppress dissent and silence the voices calling for change,” she said. As such, she called for the establishment of clear standards to address cyberbullying, heckling at political meetings, stalking, doxing of candidates, and coordinated smear campaigns, particularly those targeting women. “The WIN party believes that democracy cannot thrive in fear. We do not seek special treatment. We demand equal protection. We do not want silence. We want accountability,” she declared.

In response, PPP representative and Minister of Agriculture Zulfikar Mustapha expressed disappointment over WIN’s accusations. He emphasised that such behavior violates the very code being signed. “It was very unfortunate that we are here signing a code of conduct and we heard a representative of a political party here accusing another party of a number of things that never existed,” Mustapha said. He cautioned that continued baseless allegations could deepen division and disrespect the spirit of the code of conduct. “We should never, ever, as a political party, try to divide this nation. We must never try to impose our will or take away people’s freedoms,” he added.

Mustapha urged all political parties to lead by example during the election period. “As we approach the election campaign period, and we are in the midst of this campaign, it is vital that political parties lead by example. We must demonstrate through both our words and actions that democracy is stronger when it is inclusive, respectful, and guided by the principles of fairness, tolerance, and unity,” he said. He reiterated that the PPP/C remains fully committed to conducting a campaign that uplifts rather than divides.

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• Amanza Walton-Desir, code of conduct, Elections, ERC, parties, We Invest in Nationhood

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