In a bold declaration, Presidential hopeful and Alliance For Change (AFC) Leader Nigel Hughes announced today that the AFC is back and prepared to contest the upcoming General and Regional Elections as an independent party. Speaking to reporters just before submitting the party’s List of Candidates to the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) at the Umana Yana, Hughes emphasized the party’s renewed vigor and widespread support across all ten electoral districts.
“We are contesting in all 10 regions, in all three categories. The AFC is back. This is the AFC of 2011, and we are running alone and we stand or fall by the results that we get,” Hughes stated, highlighting that the party is oversubscribed in almost every region.
This marks the first time in a decade that the AFC will participate independently in the elections, having previously contested the 2015 and 2020 elections as part of a coalition with A Partnership for National Unity (APNU). Negotiations for a coalition this year fell through, prompting the AFC to move forward on its own.
Hughes noted the party’s commitment to gender representation, revealing that nearly 50% of their candidate list comprises women. “Anytime I am blessed to be elected as president, 50% of my Cabinet will be women, 50% and above,” he affirmed.
Among the notable candidates on the AFC’s list are businesswoman Kerri Gravesande and former Minister Jaipaul Sharma. While the party has not yet announced its Prime Ministerial Candidate, Hughes indicated that the candidate—likely a woman—will be revealed later this week, following the party’s constitutional selection process.
Hughes also took the opportunity to criticize GECOM, accusing the Commission of unfair practices. He expressed hope for improvements in their conduct ahead of the elections. “I do hope GECOM changes its conduct from being unfair to at least having some semblance of fairness,” he said, referencing a recent decision by GECOM that was reportedly altered after communication from a member of the People’s Progressive Party (PPP).
Additionally, Hughes called for the AFC’s scrutineers to be present during the encoding of candidate names to ensure transparency, stating that the AFC has faced significant discrimination but remains steadfast as it prepares for the September 1 elections.
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