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See below the full release from the Guyana Elections Commission: 

The Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) has approved the use of a modified version of the Nomination Form that is statutorily required to be submitted along with the Lists of Candidates by Political Parties to contest General and Regional Elections.

The modified version of the Form was proposed by Chief Election Officer (CEO), Mr. Vishnu Persaud to cater for greater accuracy and to guard against misuse.

Nomination Forms are used to record the particulars of the Nominators submitting the Lists of Candidates for (i) the National Top-up List of Candidates, (ii) the Geographic Constituency List of Candidates, and (iii) the Regional Democratic Council List of Candidates.

The CEO’s proposal was premised on the fact that there were numerous cases, during the period following Nomination Day for Local Government Elections in 2023, where persons claimed that either they did not sign as Nominators or they did not know that they signed the Form as Nominators. This matter generated a great deal of controversy in the public domain and affected timely processing of Lists of Candidates.
In view of this development, GECOM takes this opportunity to notify all potential contestants to use the modified version of the form to document the particulars and signatures of their Nominators for their respective Lists of Candidates. This is of crucial importance for the avoidance of doubt and to ensure timely processing of Lists of Candidates within the short window of time that is statutorily available for the examination and correction of Lists of Candidates.

Specifically, the modified version of the Nomination Form carries the following text at the top of every page: “We the undersigned knowingly and willingly provide our particulars and append our signatures as  Nominators for the National Top-up/Geographic Constituency/Regional Democratic List of  Candidates for the ………………………………………………….. Party” 

The updated forms are accessible on GECOM’s website in the General and Regional Elections 2025  resource hub at https://www.gecom.org.gy/public/home/resource_hub

Alternatively, hardcopies can be  uplifted from the Office of the Chief Election Officer or from the Office of the Public Relations Officer.  

The post Modified Nomination form approved by GECOM  appeared first on News Room Guyana.

A story of domestic abuse spanning six years has surfaced in Region Six, as a woman named Joanna took to social media to detail the violence she endured at the hands of her partner, prompting an active police investigation.

Region Six Police Commander Shivpersaud Bacchus has confirmed that an investigation is underway and that the suspect, identified as Karran Sukhan, is currently being sought. Sukhan is the owner of Red Scorpion Car Rental and, according to Joanna, the man behind years of unspeakable torment.

In an emotional and detailed Facebook post, Joanna, who recently fled the abusive household with her two children, recounted the evolution of her relationship with Sukhan — from romance in 2018 to repeated brutality by 2019.

“HE KICKED ME IN THE STOMACH, STOMPED ON MY HEAD, AND BEAT ME REPEATEDLY. OVER THE YEARS, THE VIOLENCE ONLY WORSENED,” JOANNA SHARED.

She described a chilling pattern of abuse: slaps turning into beatings, beatings into torture. Her post paints a picture of a life lived in fear — filled with threats, humiliation, and sexual violence. In one instance, Joanna recalled falling asleep and missing Sukhan’s first call. His reaction?

“HE KICKED ME IN MY STOMACH AND I FLEW INTO THE HOUSE AND HURT MYSELF,” SHE SAID.

“A FEW MONTHS AFTER I GAVE BIRTH, HE MADE ME ROLL ON HOT CONCRETE. HE SLAPPED ME WHILE I WAS HOLDING OUR ONE-MONTH-OLD BABY, CAUSING THE CHILD TO HIT HIS HEAD.”

According to Joanna, the abuse included rape, beatings with hoses, being pelted with household items, and being tied with wire and nearly strangled — all while pregnant.

“SOMETIMES HE BEAT ME WHILE I HELD OUR NEWBORN,” SHE SAID, HER WORDS ECHOING THE TRAUMA THAT DEFINED HER DAILY LIFE.

Even more disturbing is her account of a recent attack, triggered by her decision to leave the relationship.

“THIS TIME WITH A KNIFE AND A CUTLASS. MY BODY IS NOW COVERED IN SCARS AND BRUISES. HE EVEN PULLED A KNIFE ON OUR TWO-YEAR-OLD SON AND THREATENED TO POISON AND KILL ALL OF US,” JOANNA REVEALED.

She said she was left to run Sukhan’s business, care for their children, and endure his violent rages without help or relief.

“HE LEFT ME HOME ALONE WHILE HE DRANK AND CHEATED, THEN CAME HOME TO TORMENT ME FURTHER,” SHE ADDED.

Despite filing five separate reports with the police, Joanna said she was met with indifference and ridicule. One officer at the New Amsterdam Police Station, she claimed, went as far as to blame her for staying.

“OFFICER TROTMAN TOLD ME I MUST HAVE ‘ENJOYED THE LICKS’ SINCE I STAYED SO LONG,” SHE SAID.

Commander Bacchus has since assured the public that disciplinary actions will be taken against the officer in question and that every effort is being made to apprehend Sukhan.

Joanna also revealed that Sukhan’s grandmother was a witness to the abuse but her attempts to intervene were dismissed.

“SHE’S MY WIFE. I CAN DO WHATEVER I WANT TO HER,” WAS SUKHAN’S ALLEGED RESPONSE.

The post Police probing abuse case in Region Six appeared first on News Room Guyana.

A Nigerian national has been sentenced to six years in prison following his conviction for orchestrating a series of romance and package delivery scams that defrauded several Guyanese of millions of dollars in 2022.

Matthew Ejike Nwachukwu was found guilty on Thursday by Magistrate Liverpool at the Wismar Magistrate’s Court on two counts of Conspiracy to Commit a Felony, contrary to Section 33 of the Criminal Law (Offences) Act, Chapter 8:01. He was handed a three-year prison sentence on each count, to run consecutively.

Nwachukwu’s conviction follows a comprehensive investigation by the Special Organised Crime Unit (SOCU), which unearthed evidence linking him to multiple fraudulent schemes. According to SOCU, Nwachukwu acted as a key accomplice to a foreign-based mastermind – reportedly a German national – who posed as a romantic interest to unsuspecting victims across Guyana.

One of the victims testified that she was lured into a long-distance relationship with a man claiming to be German. In July 2022, she was told that valuable packages – including diamonds – would be sent to her via FedEx. Days later, she received a call from a foreign number advising that the packages had arrived and that she was required to pay G$155,000 to uplift them from the McKenzie Post Office.

Believing the package to be genuine and fearful of potential confiscation under money laundering suspicion, the victim made the payment. SOCU’s evidence revealed that Nwachukwu was instrumental in coordinating local agents to collect the money on behalf of the overseas fraudster.

Nwachukwu was initially charged and remanded in September 2022. At trial, prosecutors Aaron Daniels and Neville Jeffers presented detailed evidence of his role in the conspiracy. He was represented by Attorney-at-Law Lawrence Harris.

SOCU has confirmed that efforts are ongoing to locate and arrest the German ringleader and other accomplices linked to the broader romance and package delivery scam network allegedly operated by Nigerian nationals in Guyana.

Authorities are urging members of the public to exercise caution when engaging in online relationships, especially those involving financial transactions or promises of high-value shipments.

Investigations remain active as law enforcement tracks the larger criminal network targeting vulnerable individuals across the country.

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General Secretary of the governing People’s Progressive Party Civic (PPP/C), Dr. Bharrat Jagdeo, on Thursday said the Guyana Elections Commission should be wary of parties fraudulently listing citizens as their backers or threatening persons to stop them from backing other parties.

Jagdeo, who is Guyana’s Vice President, spoke at a party press conference on Thursday.

During that press conference, he voiced concerns about individuals and parties who may be engaged in actions that undermine the will of the people ahead of the September 1, 2025, General and Regional Elections.

“GECOM should take firm action against any party threatening people not to go on any party’s list. They should also take action against parties fraudulently putting backers on their list,” Jagdeo said.

Delving into the latter, Jagdeo opined that representatives of some parties may lie to citizens, telling them that they are signing up for sports teams or cash grants, but instead, they are being used as party nominators.

To successfully participate in the elections, parties must submit their symbol for approval and their Lists of Candidates: one National Top-Up List, at least six Geographical Constituencies’ Lists, and the Regional Democratic Councils’ Lists. The National Top-Up list, which identifies the Presidential candidate, must have at least 42 candidates and between 300 and 330 nominators countrywide. Each Geographical Constituency List must have between 150 and 175 nominators from each geographical constituency.

Such unscrupulous actions, Jagdeo said, must not be condoned. And he vowed that the PPP will “pay keen attention” to what unfolds over the next few weeks.

The post Jagdeo hopes GECOM wary of parties fraudulently putting backers on their lists appeared first on News Room Guyana.

General Secretary of the People’s Progressive Party Civic (PPP/C), Dr. Bharrat Jagdeo rebuked “vile” comments against some of the former opposition politicians who have now thrown their support behind his party.

“If you’re Afro-Guyanese and you come to the PPP, you are called all sorts of names. It’s so vile.

“And then the Indian ones who might’ve supported the PNC, if they decided to support the PPP or anyone else, it’s suddenly ‘Oh we expected that from them’,” Jagdeo said on Thursday at his weekly press conference.

Jagdeo juxtaposed those reactions and utterances to what transpires in his party. In the PPP, according to Jagdeo, persons of all ethnicities are embraced.

“If you wanna make the choice to support us… PPP supporters are happy for that because they see people recognising that we are changing the country.

“Most PPP supporters know that what is important is winning the elections so that we can continue transforming this country,” JKagdeo said.

Fmr. APNU+AFC Gov’t Minister Sydney Allicock endorses President Ali

On Wednesday, respected Indigenous leader and former Vice President Sydney Allicock joined a growing list of opposition figures who have backed the PPP/C.

Other prominent political players who have now endorsed President Dr. Irfaan Ali and the PPP include: Liberty and Justice Party Leader, Lenox Shuman; The Citizenship Initiative’s Shazaam Ally; PNCR’s Daniel Seeram, Samuel Sandy, and Dr. Richard Van-West Charles; and the AFC’s David Daniels.

The post Jagdeo criticises ‘vile’ comments hurled at crossovers to the PPP appeared first on News Room Guyana.

Team Guyana, featuring Anish Ramlall, Domitre Ranking, Arren Vanlewin and Stephen George, has advanced to the next round of the Under-23 3×3 basketball tournament in Paraguay.

The event marks the conclusion of a High-Performance Training Camp ahead of this year’s Junior Pan American Games.

Under the leadership of Coach Willon Cameron, Guyana will now face Group A winners Paraguay on Friday.

Drawn in Group A alongside Argentina, Grenada and the Cayman Islands, Guyana faced a mixed set of results in the group stage.

The Cayman Islands were forced to withdraw due to two injuries sustained during pre-tournament training, resulting in a walkover win for the other teams.

Guyana battled Grenada but came up short in a 16-21 contest, and against tournament favourites Argentina, they were defeated 10-21.

Coach Cameron noted that it was the first time the players were competing together as a unit, but highlighted their steady progress throughout the training camp.

“The tournament was a great opportunity for the players to apply what they’ve learnt since the programme began on Monday,” said Coach Cameron.

The camp, hosted in Paraguay’s capital, Asunción, runs until June 13 and is part of a wider initiative to prepare teams for the upcoming Junior Pan Am Games.

Guyana’s participation comes on the heels of a newly-signed Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the Guyana Olympic Association (GOA) and the Paraguayan Olympic Committee, designed to foster greater collaboration and development in sports.

Other countries participating are Trinidad and Tobago, Brazil, Paraguay, the Dominican Republic, El Salvador, Honduras, Costa Roca and the United States Virgin Islands.

The post Guyana through to knockout stage of U-23 3×3 tournament in Paraguay appeared first on News Room Guyana.

As Guyana experiences an unprecedented wave of investment and economic development, President of the Georgetown Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GCCI), Kathy Smith, is urging local businesses to embrace structural growth and move away from an informal way of doing business.

Speaking in a recent interview with News Room, Smith described the current moment as an exciting time for the country, acknowledging that while there are growing pains, the opportunities for sustainable growth are significant.

“What I want to say to businesses is to get away from the informal way of doing business.

“It is a really good time for us in Guyana; there is a lot of investment taking place locally, and foreign investors are coming into this country. If you want to sustain, grow, and make a profit, you have to set up structures,” Smith revealed.

She explained that businesses can formalise their operations by establishing a physical location. According to Smith, this is not only crucial for growth but also for building trust with financial institutions and partners.

President of the Georgetown Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GCCI), Kathy Smith

“We are still seeing people getting contracts, but their business is still at home, their business is on their cellphone, their dinner table…

“… if you want to last in this business sector, you have got to find ways to sustain yourself. Create a structure, find a location, collaborate with somebody. If rent is a bit expensive for you to go at it alone, find another small business and do that,” Smith urged.

But beyond profitability, the GCCI President pointed to other responsibilities of business owners.

“Being in business is not just to support yourself and your family only; you have a duty to community and to country. To community by ensuring that you employ people, support the enhancement of your community, and once we do that, our country can grow.”

In acknowledging challenges and what she described as ‘growing pains’, Smith highlighted an important trend in the local economy—an increase in financing opportunities for businesses.

“We’re seeing more financing becoming available, not just through banks and financial institutions, but also from private sector organisations and government initiatives,” she said.

“The government is making it possible for small and emerging businesses to access projects that give them the cash flow they need.”

However, she stressed that access to these resources must be matched with accountability and structure.

“If you want financial institutions to invest in you, they need to trust you. And they can only trust you if you show them you have systems in place.”

The post GCCI’s President calls on local businesses to ditch informal practices and seize Guyana’s booming investment wave appeared first on News Room Guyana.

When the Round-of-32 games in the inaugural June Madness Futsal championship, powered by the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport and Ansa McAL, commenced on Wednesday at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall, Stabroek Ballers romped to a huge 11-1 win over Game Changers to highlight the night’s proceedings.

Along with Stabroek Ballers, four other teams- Gold Is Money, Corinthians, Spanyards and Bent Street ‘B’- have all booked their spots in the Round-of-16.

Two seeded teams were sent packing on the night- Stabroek ‘B’, which fell to Spanyards, and Espyanol, downed by Corinthians.

Leading the charge for Stabroek Ballers were Brandon Solomon (6^th, 9^th and 24^th) and Deon Alfred (16^th, 18^th and 27^th) with a hat-trick each.

Seon Taylor added a double in the 25^th and 29^th, with one each for Randy Maynard (13^th), Lionel Holder (23^rd) and Shem James in the final minute of play.

Game Changers’ consolation goal came off the boot of Emmanuel Lewis in the penultimate minute of the match in which they were total outplayed by the more seasoned Stabroek Ballers, one of the 16 seeded teams that earned second round spots.

Spanyards, who defeated Unity Ballers 5-2 in their first round match, proved that they are as good as the seeded teams when they racked up their second win, trouncing Stabroek ‘B’ 7-3, led by a brace from Tyreck Cummings (5^th and 17^th) and Omar Brewley (13^th and 29^th).

They were ably supported by Kendolph Lewis (2^nd), Teshawn Gordon (20^th) and Jashawn Moore in the 25^th minute. Stabroek ‘B’ three goals came from Kevin Padmore (15^th), Jamal Bristol (27^th) and Jonathan McKenzie in the 28^th minute.

Gold Is Money easily put away Young Stars 3-0 on account of goals from Randolph Wagner (6^th and 29^th) and Tevin Troyer.

In a clash of the Spanish teams, and a very physical showdown, Corinthians outhustled Espyanyol 4-1, thanks to goals from Mauel (5^th), Luiz David (15^th), Adriane Talla (28^th) and Carlos Escobar in the 28^th minute.

Espyanol’s consolation goal was scored by Felix Nunez in the 24^th minute.

The night’s opening clash was a close match-up, but Bent Street ‘B’ was able to hold their nerves to edge Albouystown ‘A’ 3-2.

Samuel Garnett (16^th), Lennox Young (17^th) and Tyric McAllister in the 21^st minute laid the platform for the win and a place in the Round-of-16. Albouystown ‘A’ tucked in two late goals from Timothy Thomas (26^th) and Ezikiel Telford in the final minute of play.

Five more matches are slated for Thursday night.

The post Stabroek Ballers maul Game Changers as five teams advance in June Madness Futsal appeared first on News Room Guyana.

Police are investigating a case of Robbery Under Arms following a chilling early-morning home invasion on Tuesday that left a 24-year-old chef nursing a gunshot wound.

The victim, Carlos Conyern, of Aubrey Barker Road, South Ruimveldt, was reportedly attacked around 03:30 hrs while sleeping in the upper flat of his home. He was confronted by two masked men—one armed with a handgun—who broke into the building through a southern window.

According to police reports, the intruders woke Conyern and demanded cash. When he began shouting “thief” out of fear, the armed assailant responded by firing a single shot, striking him in the lower abdomen.

The suspects then grabbed two Samsung mobile phones valued at G$85,000 and G$35,000 respectively, before escaping the same way they entered—through the window—fleeing in an unknown direction.

Conyern was rushed to the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC), where he received medical treatment. Police say his condition is currently listed as stable.

Investigators recovered one .32 calibre spent shell from the scene. The Guyana Police Force has confirmed that investigations are ongoing as they work to identify and apprehend the perpetrators.

The post Chef shot during early-morning home invasion in South Ruimveldt appeared first on News Room Guyana.

The launch of Orinduik Marine Services (OMS), a locally-owned company focused on subsea and diving support for the oil and gas industry, marks a bold stride in Guyana’s local content ambitions, President, Dr Mohamed Irfaan Ali declared on Wednesday.

Speaking at the unveiling of the OMS facility in Lusignan, East Coast Demerara, President Ali called the moment “local content coming to life, not as a slogan, but as a strategy.”

President Ali delivering the feature address at the launching of the Orinduik Marine Services

OMS, spearheaded by Guyanese entrepreneur Harrychand Tulsi, will offer cutting-edge training in offshore safety, navigation, and subsea technology, not just to locals, but to participants from across the Caribbean.

The company will focus on two vital aspects of offshore operations: Remotely Operated Vehicles (ROVs) and Diving Services, both central to subsea installations and maintenance.

President Ali described the venture as a cornerstone in Guyana’s strategy to not only benefit from oil wealth, but to shape a highly skilled, homegrown workforce capable of operating, innovating and eventually leading in high-tech sectors.

In his address at the Orinduik Development Incorporated Training Centre’s compound in Lusignan, President Ali said that “sovereignty means having people who can design, operate, and innovate across all sectors, allowing Guyana to prosper long after the era of oil and gas.”

He added, “You are seeing a classroom on waves. You are seeing training in real-world, high-risk, high-value environments. This is your time. This is your moment to prepare, to train, to dream and to ride.”

President Ali reemphasised that true national development is measured not just by GDP growth or infrastructure, but by the transfer of knowledge and the transformation of people.

“We are coming for every opportunity,” President Ali asserted. “We are building local companies to go after every world-class operation.”

He described OMS as a direct outcome of deliberate policy.

“This didn’t happen by accident. It’s the result of sound policymaking, of a policy matrix that people trust,” he said, pointing to the 2021 Local Content Act which requires oil and gas operators to prioritise Guyanese hiring and skills development.

President Ali also positioned the state-of-art Lusignan facility as a launchpad for regional leadership, with OMS poised to support marine operations in CARICOM countries like Suriname and Jamaica.

“No investment comes without trust, vision, and sustainability in policy,” he said, noting that OMS’ arrival reflects investor confidence in Guyana’s economy and long-term direction.

Additional scene from the launching ceremony held on Wednesday

The facility is expected to play a critical role in assembling subsea oil and gas wellheads, installing pipelines and valves, and maintaining Floating Production Storage and Offloading units (FPSOs) and marine vessels.

OMS founder, Harrychand Tusli and Michal Arnold, CEO of OMS Subsea (UK), also spoke at the launch, which took place with minimal fanfare but maximal significance.

“Let us welcome Orinduik Marine Services as a partner in progress, a builder of skills and a bridge to the future,” President Ali said.

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