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See below the full release from the Private Sector Commission: 

The Private Sector Commission (PSC) strongly condemns the unprovoked aggression and attack against the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) and Guyana Police Force patrol on the Upper Cuyuni River, Region 7, while escorting GECOM officials and ballot boxes today.

This act of hostility, launched from the Venezuelan shore, is a direct affront not only to Guyana’s sovereignty but also to the democratic process currently underway in our nation. Any attempt to threaten or undermine the safe and fair conduct of elections must be denounced in the strongest possible terms.

The PSC highly commends the professionalism, courage, and swift response of the GDF and Police ranks, whose bravery ensured the safety of nine GECOM officials and the security of all ballot boxes in transit. Their decisive actions prevented injury, safeguarded election materials, and guaranteed that the ballots reached their intended polling stations without compromise.

The PSC expresses its deepest gratitude to the men and women of the Joint Services for their unwavering commitment to protecting Guyana’s democracy, even in the face of grave danger. Their service is a reminder of the vital role they play in preserving peace, stability, and the integrity of our electoral process.

The Commission reaffirms its support for the Joint Services and GECOM and calls on all stakeholders, national and international, to recognize the significance of this incident as a test of our nation’s resilience and commitment to democracy.

 

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See below full statement issued by the Guyana Elections Commission:

The Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) wishes to denounce a false Facebook post by Credible Sources alleging that the GECOM staff assigned to a polling station at Hibiscus Drive, Peters Hall, East Bank Demerara, were chased out by the proprietor of the private residence, which was supposed to be used as a polling station tomorrow.

These speculations are blatantly false and does not in anyway reflect the accurate account of the reasons for the movement of the polling station. In this regard, GECOM finds it necessary to debunk the deliberate mischief emanating from Credible Sources, especially on the eve of the General and Regional Elections.

For the sake of clarity, it must be noted that GECOM was contacted by the owner of the private residence earlier today, indicating that he was no longer interested in his property being used as a polling station. Against this backdrop, GECOM’s logistics team immediately sought and finalised an alternative arrangement.

As such, the persons initially listed to vote at that place will now vote at the Caricom General Insurance Company, which is located a short distance away from the original location. Electors who were listed to vote at the Hibiscus Drive location are asked to take note of the new venue of their polling station.

GECOM takes this opportunity to once again call on all stakeholders to be responsible in their reporting and verify information before publishing, especially at such a critical juncture, a few hours before the conduct of the General and Regional Election. These type of misinformation and disinformation are disruptive and can cause unnecessary panic and confusion in an already heightened political environment.

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See below the full statement from the Joint Services:

On August 31, 2025, at approximately 14:30 hours, while escorting GECOM officials and ballot boxes along the Upper Cuyuni River in the vicinity of Bamboo, near the Guyana-Venezuela border, a Joint Services patrol came under fire from the Venezuelan shore.

The escort team, which comprised ranks from the Guyana Defence Force and the Guyana Police Force, was conducting official duties in support of GECOM’s ballot distribution to remote polling stations in Region 7. A total of nine GECOM officials were aboard the vessels at the time.

The patrol immediately returned fire and successfully manoeuvred the escort team out of danger. No injuries were sustained by any personnel, and no election materials were damaged or compromised.

Despite the incident, the team safely continued its journey, and all remaining ballot boxes were successfully delivered to their assigned polling stations at Cumang Landing, Kurutuku, and Dukquarie Landing. The earlier drop-off at Tumbung was also completed without incident.

The Joint Services remain alert and continue to coordinate closely with GECOM to ensure the security of all election-related operations. An investigation into the incident is underway.

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Tabitha Sarabo-Halley has been announced as the Prime Ministerial Candidate of the We Invest in Nationhood (WIN) party, marking yet another turn in her turbulent political career.

The announcement was made just before midnight on Saturday by WIN’s Presidential Candidate, Azruddin Mohamed, during the party’s final rally at the Marriott Beachfront in Georgetown.

Sarabo-Halley first entered the National Assembly in 2019, replacing Dr. Rupert Roopnarine as the Working People’s Alliance (WPA) representative. That same year, she was appointed Minister of Public Service under the APNU+AFC Government. But her political affiliations have shifted repeatedly since.

Tabitha Sarabo-Halley now with WIN – her 4th party in 5 years

Following the coalition’s defeat in the 2020 General and Regional Elections, she remained a member of the WPA, which was still aligned with APNU at the time.

Later that year, however, she resigned from the WPA after the party distanced itself from the coalition. To hold on to her parliamentary seat, Sarabo-Halley claimed she was serving as an “independent.”

Not long after, she launched her own short-lived political group, the Guyana Nation Builders Movement, which failed to gain traction and ultimately saw her largely sidelined from the national political stage.

Her reemergence last month as a member of WIN underscores her pattern of shifting loyalties, moving from party to party without establishing a stable political base.

Sarabo-Halley’s selection has raised questions about WIN’s credibility, given her history of political transience and the absence of a consistent track record within any one movement.

The post Former WPA, APNU+AFC MP is WIN’s Prime Ministerial candidate appeared first on News Room Guyana.

The results of the September 1, 2025, General and Regional Elections could be known by the night of September 3, and an official declaration may come the morning after, once there are no major delays or requests for recounts, Chief Elections Officer Vishnu Persaud said on Sunday.

“Declarations in the districts (may happen) by the evening of the third, providing that there are no requests for recount,” Persaud said on Sunday, at a Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) press conference the day before the elections.

He explained that once those district declarations are done, he should receive all by the morning of the fourth, and will be taken to the Commission for a declaration subsequently.

GECOM ‘fully prepared’ to conduct elections tomorrow – Chief Elections Officer

Persaud assured reporters that the Commission has systems in place to account for power outages and adequate internet access so that the scanning and uploading of the Statements of Poll (SOPs) can be done. All SOPs are to be shared online by GECOM.

Previously, Persaud said the results could be known by the night of September 2. On Sunday, however, he explained that the Commission did not consider the extensive process for the tabulation of the results.

The post GECOM now says elections results may be known by Sept. 3 appeared first on News Room Guyana.

Chief Election Officer Vishnu Persaud has affirmed that the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) is fully prepared to conduct the country’s General and Regional Elections on Monday, September 1, noting that the ballot boxes have been deployed and that the requisite staff and officers have been trained.

Persaud, at a Sunday press conference, noted that hundreds of observers are also in Guyana and will be fanning out across the 10 administrative regions.

“We, at this time, are fully prepared to conduct the general and regional elections tomorrow. This position is bolstered by feedback from returning officers even today,” Persaud said at a press conference in Georgetown.

For this year’s elections, 757,690 registered voters across the 10 administrative regions will cast their ballots to elect candidates from six political parties. A total of 2,790 polling stations will be operational with 13,925 polling staff.

Additionally, about 8,700 police officers will be working to maintain “order,” according to Persaud.

He also assured reporters that adequate safeguards are in place.

“Safeguards will include the involvement of accredited political party agents, observers and candidates from the respective political parties,” he said.

There are about 500 local observers and 200 international observers in Guyana.

As it relates to the accreditation of political party agents, Persaud reminded reporters that the Commission approved the acceptance of the late notification/submission of the appointment of Assistant Agents, Polling Agents and Candidates to the Poll and to the Count from the Alliance for Change (AFC), Assembly of Liberty and Prosperity (ALP), Forward Guyana Movement (FGM) and the We Invest in Nationhood (WIN) political parties.

The parties missed the statutory timeline for the submission in accordance with Section 24 (2) of the Representation of the People Act (ROPA), which requires that such notification be given to the respective Returning Officers no later than seven (7) days before election day. As a consequence, written appeals were submitted by the parties to the Commission for consideration.

Persaud said this approval was granted to allow for greater transparency in the elections.

GECOM approves late submission of polling agents by AFC, ALP, FGM & WIN

The post GECOM ‘fully prepared’ to conduct elections tomorrow – Chief Elections Officer appeared first on News Room Guyana.

A stunning century from Tim Seifert helped St Lucia Kings pull off the fifth-highest chase in Caribbean Premier League (CPL) history with utter ease as they marched to the top of the table with a six-wicket win over Antigua and Barbuda Falcons at Gros Islet.

Seifert levelled with Andre Russell for the CPL’s fastest century as his 53-ball 125* saw Kings overturn their 205-run in 17.5 overs as Falcons slumped to their second consecutive defeat, despite a 26-ball 61 from Shakib Al Hasan.

Seifert started the chase in style, flat-batting the first legal delivery of the innings for a six over long-off. Imad Wasim conceded another six, to Johnson Charles, as Kings made their intent clear in the first over.

Charles then welcomed Jayden Seales into the attack with a six before Seifert went 6, 4, 4 against the West Indies quick.

There was some reprieve for the Falcons when Salman Irshad had Charles gloving behind off an attempted scoop but Seifert showed no signs of slowing down.

He swept Shakib for a six over square leg before skying a chance that fell safe between three fielders converging, much to Shakib’s angst.

Akeem Auguste hit Irshad for three consecutive fours before Seales took 24 off Shakib, with two sixes and three fours. The 92 runs Kings plundered in the powerplay were the most in the season, and it was the third-best powerplay in CPL history.

Usama Mir saw Seifert hit him for a four and a six in his first over, right after the powerplay, but hit back in his next over when he beat Auguste in flight to have him stumped.

Seifert and Roston Chase kept the scoreboard ticking before Irshad took a blinder at short leg off Odean Smith to cut Chase’s innings short.

However, in the next over Seifert hit back-to-back sixes off Mir to move to 99 and completed his century with a single off the next ball.

Tim David went 6, 4, 6 off Smith before Seales had him caught at deep midwicket in a wicket maiden amid the chaos.

Seifert, who had scooped Irshad in the over before for four, picked up another boundary off Seales’ third over before sealing the win with a mighty six off the final ball.

Seifert finished unbeaten on 125, posting the highest score of the season, going past his compatriot Colin Munro, who is the only other centurion this year. This was also the second-highest score ever in the CPL.

Openers Amir Jangoo and Jewel Andrew took Falcons to 51 for no loss at the end of the powerplay, but Tabraiz Shamsi‘s introduction shifted the momentum briefly.

He had Andrew skying one off his first ball before drawing a thick edge from Karima Gore and Roston Chase took a good catch at slip to send the in-form batter back for a first-ball duck.

Shakib prevented the hat-trick by sweeping a loosener fine on the leg side before an edge off a reverse-sweep brought him four more next ball.

An 18-ball streak followed without a boundary, but that was ended when Shakib hit back-to-back sixes off Chase to end the tenth over – a slog sweep over midwicket was followed by a wallop down the ground.

Shakib hammered David Wiese for 25 runs, with three consecutive fours followed by two back-to-back sixes, the second of which saw him bring up a 20-ball half-century.

Jangoo lofted Shamsi over long-off the next over before sweeping him fine on the leg side. Shakib’s shot of the day was when he pummeled Alzarri Joseph inside out for a one-handed six.

But an offcutter from Delano Potgieter drew a leading edge from Shakib and one over later, Jangoo miscued a reverse-sweep off Shamsi to David at short third for a 43-ball 56.

Smith failed to fire in the death, ambling to 11 off 15, but Fabian Allen provided the punch at the death with a 17-ball 38, taking Falcons past 200. (ESPNcricinfo)

 

The post Seifert hits joint-fastest CPL ton as Kings chase 205 against Falcons appeared first on News Room Guyana.

Amid growing calls from smaller parties contesting the September 1 General and Regional Elections for voters to split their ballots, Financial Analyst Joel Bhagwandin has warned that such a strategy is destined to fail.

As Guyanese head to the polls on Monday, the Alliance For Change (AFC), We Invest in Nationhood (WIN), Forward Guyana Movement (FGM), and the Assembly for Liberty and Prosperity (ALP) have urged citizens to divide their votes in hopes of engineering a minority government.

See Bhagwandin’s full comments below:

“As we’re on the topic of minority governments, can the proponents point to a single case—anywhere in the world—where this model of governance has proven successful? The record, however, suggests otherwise.

“Even in our own experience (2011–2015), the results were far from encouraging.

“Case in point: just days ago in Europe, reportedly, a French minority government’s potential collapse put the economy in stalemate. (Read more by clicking here)

“The parallels with Guyana’s 2011–2015 experience are striking. For the first time, we too faced the realities of a minority government: critical bills stalled, national budgets slashed, and the country teetered on the edge of FATF/CFATF blacklisting due to unresolved deficiencies in anti–money laundering and counter-terrorism financing legislation.

“Ultimately, it all ended in snap elections in 2015—and the rest is history.

“In particular, the literature shows that minority governments tend to collapse quickly in polarized systems as seen in the cases of Guyana, the United Kingdom and Italy, thereby triggering early elections.”

Historically, minority governments have struggled to provide stability, often collapsing under the weight of political deadlock and leaving behind fragile economies.

Jagdeo warns of ‘behind-the-scenes plot’ to force PPP/C into minority but says it will not happen

Europe offers some of the clearest examples: in France, the current minority government is teetering on the edge of collapse, stalling critical economic decisions; in Italy, short-lived minority administrations have repeatedly triggered early elections; and in the United Kingdom, minority governments have struggled to pass budgets and major legislation, forcing compromises that weakened governance.

These cases reinforce a consistent global pattern – minority governments rarely endure and almost always produce uncertainty, instability, and economic stagnation.

The post Minority governments have failed worldwide, most recent: France – Joel Bhagwandin appeared first on News Room Guyana.

Lando Norris retired from second place with an oil leak as McLaren team-mate Oscar Piastri took a controlled victory in an incident-strewn Dutch Grand Prix.

The Australian’s seventh victory in 13 races this season, in which he has been the model of coolness and consistency, extends his championship lead to 34 points.

Norris lost second to Max Verstappen on the first lap, with a bold and aggressive move by the Dutchman at Turn Three, but pressured Piastri throughout after reclaiming the place a few laps later.

Piastri was always in control and Norris was on course for a comfortable second place only for his car to stop in a cloud of smoke with seven laps to go.

The dramatic turn of events at the end of a chaotic race featuring three safety cars and multiple crashes and incidents could be decisive in the private title fight between Piastri and Norris.

Red Bull’s Verstappen inherited second place, and Norris’ retirement elevated French rookie Isack Hadjar, 20, to an outstanding first career podium finish for Racing Bulls.

A huge blow for Norris

Norris sat on the dunes beside the seaside Zandvoort circuit, helmet on, with his head in his hands after climbing out of his stricken McLaren, as he digested the ramifications of his retirement.

The Briton had been poised for second place behind Piastri, who had controlled the race consummately from pole position throughout a series of incidents, including briefly threatening rain.

That in itself would have been a setback to Norris, who had arrived in the Netherlands after winning three of the past four races.

But his second retirement of the year – following crashing out of the Canadian Grand Prix in June after hitting the back of his team-mate’s car – has dealt a body blow to his hopes.

A 34-point lead is well over one clear victory, and it will be hard work for Norris to claw back that deficit on a man who has led the championship since the fifth race of the season in Saudi Arabia and is the model of solidity.

Mercedes, which supplies McLaren’s engines, said they did not yet know whether the leak was on the car or engine side.

McLaren team principal Andrea Stella said it was “unclear” what had caused the failure. (BBC)

 

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