ERC calls on political parties to engage Commission ahead of 2025 elections

The Ethnic Relations Commission (ERC) on Wednesday issued a call to political parties, particularly those that sit in the National Assembly to engage the Commission before the commencement of the 2025 General and Regional Elections.
During a press conference, ERC Chairman Sheik Moeen-ul-Hack informed media operatives that the Commission has been successful in engaging members of two major political parties, the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) and the Alliance For Change (AFC).

However, ERC’s Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Gomin Camacho disclosed that efforts to engage other parties have proven futile.
Among those still to accept the Commission’s invitation is the main Opposition A Partnership for National Unity (APNU).
“We have written to those other parties that sit in Parliament we haven’t yet received a confirmation of date that we will meet with them, but that should be forthcoming,” Camacho disclosed.
ERC’s invitation of engagement is part of its efforts to garner the support of political leaders to assist it in the execution of its mandate, which is to promote harmony and good relations among all Guyanese.
On this point, Commissioner Norris Witter underscored the importance of preventing the reoccurrence of ethnic tension leading up to and after the holding of the 2025 General and Regional Elections.

“The racial/ethnic tension in Guyana is primarily based between these two ethnic groups (Afro-Guyanese and Indo-Guyanese) either fall within the PPP or PNC, therefore, you cannot make any serious progress in terms of addressing the ethnic tensions unless you can get these two major parties on the table,” Witter said.

Code of conduct
The ERC hosted a Code of Conduct signing for parties contesting the Local Government Elections (LGE) 2023. The Code of Conduct aimed to ensure that parties agreed to promote an election period that was free from hate speech, incitement, violence, discrimination, and provocation along racial lines.
The Code of Conduct will address the conduct of politicians in all public forums, including political rallies.

This is paramount since the Commission itself was birthed from electoral tension.

ERC Observation Mission
In addition, the ERC also fielded over 60 observers for LGE in Regions Three (Essequibo Islands-West Demerara), Four (Demerara-Mahaica), Five (Mahaica-Berbice), Six (East Berbice-Corentyne) and Ten (Upper Demerara-Berbice) respectively, canvassing over 250 polling stations to ensure a free, fair, and transparent election process.
According to the Commission, these principles of democracy are the foundation upon which unity and peaceful co-existence are developed. (G1)