APNU, FGM boycott ERC’s elections Code of Conduct

The A Partnership for National Unity (APNU), led by Aubrey Norton, and the newly formed Forward Guyana Movement (FGM), headed by former APNU Member of Parliament Amanza Walton-Desir, were notably absent on Tuesday from the Ethnic Relations Commission’s (ERC) Code of Conduct signing ceremony for political parties contesting the upcoming General and Regional Elections on September 1.

This marks the second consecutive election that APNU has refused to sign the Code. In 2023, the party also abstained from signing the ERC’s Code of Conduct for the Local Government Elections.

The ceremony, held at the Arthur Chung Convention Centre, is a traditional pre-election event hosted by the ERC, aimed at securing commitments from political parties to uphold peace, avoid hate speech, and promote ethnic harmony during the election season. While four of the six contesting parties signed the Code, APNU and FGM were absent.

Zulfikar Mustapha signed on behalf of the ruling People’s Progressive Party Civic (PPP/C), Hana Dmitriyev represented the We Invest in Nationhood (WIN) party, Khemraj Ramjattan signed for the Alliance for Change (AFC), and Eon Thomas represented the Assembly for Liberty and Prosperity (ALP) party, which is led by former APNU+AFC minister Simona Broomes.

ERC Chairman Moeen-ul-Haq expressed appreciation for the parties that participated and emphasised the importance of unity and inclusion. He announced that the ERC will keep the opportunity open for the absent parties to sign the Code at the Commission’s Georgetown office.

“We will extend the period of signing. So the opportunity still avails for the remaining two political parties to come to the ERC and sign the code of conduct,” Moeen-ul-Haq said.

Moeen-ul-Haq noted that a firm deadline for the extended signing period has not yet been set but added that the Commission would consult internally to determine a timeframe.

“I will consult with the committee as for a [deadline to sign] but yes we will extend it. We will try to accommodate everyone, because this is important for all of Guyana, and inclusion of everyone. We do not wish for anyone to be excluded for whatever reason from the process.”