“Do not take your vote lightly” – Jagdeo appeals to 1st time voters

People’s Progressive Party (PPP) General Secretary Bharrat Jagdeo has sounded a strong call to first-time voters, urging them to understand the gravity of the upcoming General and Regional Elections and their role in shaping Guyana’s future.
Speaking at a public meeting at Enmore, East Coast of Demerara, on Monday (August 25, 2025), night, Jagdeo reminded the youth that while they may not have lived through earlier decades of political turmoil, they cannot afford to be indifferent to the risks ahead.
Jagdeo told the gathering that many young people have no lived memory of the “dark days” under the People’s National Congress (PNC), a period often associated with economic hardship, authoritarianism, and electoral manipulation.
He noted that those who will be voting for the first time in 2025 were just 13 years old during the controversial 2020 elections, when the APNU+AFC coalition attempted to cling to power through what international observers described as an attempt to rig the results.
“They may not have fully understood the threat then,” Jagdeo said, “But they need to recognise now that what is at stake is not abstract – it is the very leadership and stability of this country.”
Addressing younger voters directly, Jagdeo warned that the rise of social media has made political communication more superficial, and some may be drawn to appearances rather than substance. “Some may be easily be carried away by someone who posts a nice picture or a fancy car,” he cautioned, “But the day after elections, you need competent people to govern – people who can manage an economy, create jobs, build homes, and hold this country together.”
He urged the first-time voters to be more discerning and not to be easily swayed by online campaigns that may lack depth or accountability.
“Do not allow your future to be determined by gimmicks,” he said. “Leadership is about responsibility, not showmanship,” he added.