Dominic Gaskin, former Cabinet Minister, executive member of the Alliance For Change (AFC), and son-in-law of former President David Granger, recently voiced his concerns about the state of the opposition in Guyana. He stated that he would not be actively involved in a campaign that he believes is “heading nowhere,” convinced that the opposition has already lost the 2025 elections to the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C).
Gaskin highlighted the damage done to the opposition’s reputation following the People’s National Congress-Reform (PNC-R)/A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) + AFC coalition’s attempts to influence and rigged the outcome of the 2020 General and Regional Elections. The coalition faced significant criticism for its actions during that period, which culminated in a five-month delay in declaring the results. These actions, witnessed by the international community, undermined the integrity of the opposition, Gaskin suggested.
“All members of the opposition need to demonstrate to the public that they are prepared to recognize the will of the people at the next election…I am hoping that the current opposition is prepared to recognize the elections’ results as the people’s legitimate will,” Gaskin stated.
Guyanese voters in 2020 peacefully cast their ballots but had to wait for months as the APNU+AFC administration mounted legal challenges and allegedly engaged in “delay tactics.” The drawn-out process tested the electorate’s patience. A national recount eventually confirmed that the PPP/C won with 233,336 votes, compared to the APNU+AFC’s 217,920 votes.
Despite any potential irregularities, Gaskin urged the opposition not to resort to discrediting the election process if they lose in 2025. “People cast their vote, and they cast it with the expectation that the totality of those votes will be recognized in determining who forms the next government, so you cannot participate in that process and discredit it because you didn’t win.”
Gaskin believes that the opposition parties are still struggling to recover from the 2020 election fallout and that it is unlikely they will be able to mount a successful campaign in 2025. When asked if he would consider rejoining the AFC for the upcoming election, Gaskin clarified: “I can’t support a party or be actively involved in a campaign that is not heading anywhere.” He added, “The opposition parties have lost the 2025 elections in advance.”
Beyond the opposition’s internal issues, Gaskin acknowledged that the PPP/C is well-positioned for the next election, pointing to its effective use of the country’s oil revenues in ways that resonate with the public.
The 2020 general election rigging and controversy drew widespread condemnation from over 100 governments globally, and a presidential Commission of Inquiry into the election further revealed the extent of the alleged misconduct. According to the findings, Chief Election Officer (CEO) Keith Lowenfield, Deputy Chief Election Officer (DCEO) Roxanne Myers, and Returning Officer (RO) Clairmont Mingo were involved in “shockingly brazen attempts” to manipulate the electoral process in favor of the APNU+AFC.
Chairman of the commission Stanley John, along with commissioners Carl Singh and Senior Counsel Godfrey Smith, concluded that the APNU+AFC’s actions were aimed at “stealing the election,” as evidenced by the testimony of numerous witnesses and reports from international observers. Lowenfield, in particular, was found to have blatantly disregarded legal procedures and the will of the people, while GECOM staffers allegedly ignored court instructions and collaborated with APNU+AFC agents to obstruct the electoral process.
In the aftermath, the opposition faces an uphill battle for public trust and electoral success as the 2025 elections draw closer.
Dominic Gaskin is an integrity politician who is unafraid to speak his mind. We must have more politicians like him in Guyana.