Ex-GTU head, top heart specialist, former Opposition members among new PPP candidates

The ruling People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) has unveiled a diverse list of candidates for the September 1 General and Regional Elections, featuring prominent names from across the political and professional spectrum.
Submitted second on Nomination Day, the PPP/C’s list features a blend of youth, technocrats, defectors from opposition parties, and well-known professionals, which the party touts as reflective of national unity, sectoral expertise, and broad-based public support.

Among some of the new names on the PPP’s list of candidates are former Guyana Teacher’s Union (GTU) President, Dr Mark Lyte, well-known cardiologist and Head of Cardiology at the Georgetown Public Hospital, Dr Mahendra Carpen, and University of Guyana lecturer, Dr Kofi Dalrymple.

Additionally, the presence of former People’s National Congress Reform (PNC/R) members like James Bond, Geeta Chandan-Edmond, and Thandi McAllister, along with Lenox Shuman and Dr Asha Kissoon, marks a strategic list for the PPP/C.
The list also includes over 25 candidates under the age of 25, many of whom are active in fields such as STEM, health, agriculture, media, and education – underscoring the PPP/C’s push to elevate young leaders into positions of national decision-making.

At the PPP/C’s massive campaign launch on Sunday, Dr Mahendra Carpen delivered a stirring endorsement of President Irfaan Ali, Prime Minister Mark Phillips, and Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo, calling their leadership “visionary” and central to the transformation of Guyana’s healthcare sector.
“I stand here proudly as the son of a cane cutter who has risen to the ranks to be the Chief of Cardiology in this country and I endorse the People’s Progressive Party and I endorse Dr Mohamed Irfaan Ali as President of the Cooperative Republic of Guyana… 5 more years,” he chanted.

“This is true visionary leadership that comes from a very talented group of leaders,” Dr Carpen expressed.
Similar sentiments were echoed by former People’s National Congress Reform (PNC/R) stalwart Thandi McAllister.
“It is true that I contributed most of my youth in politics to the People’s National Congress Reform… and it is also true that today I stand a proud member of PPP family”.
“Open your eyes look around and tell me why not support the PPP… (you) will see real investment in the people of this country, will see massive infrastructural development, historically unprecedented and for the first time in this country (you) will be connectivity from communities on the East Bank to communities on the East Coast of Demerara and when (you) drive on the current Demerara Habour Bridge (you) will have a good look at a new modern better bridge almost at completion,” she said.

Youth engagement
As the election season intensifies, the PPP/C’s expanding tent of candidates appears aimed at consolidating support across ethnic, regional, and generational lines, while showcasing governance as a platform of opportunity and inclusion.
This was addressed by Prime Ministerial candidate for the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C), Brigadier (Ret’d) Mark Phillips on Sunday.
The Prime Minister who was at the to responding to leader of A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) Aubrey Norton, who had said at his party’s campaign launch that the absence of young people there was because young people tend to not be involved in politics noted that PPP/C has demonstrated its commitment to young people by not only ensuring their development but also including them in the leadership of the country.

“For them diversity is an afterthought, we believe in diversity from day one – 75 years ago. They asked him again, what happen to the youths? And he said the youths not interested in politics. But you see here a demonstration of youth leadership… The PPP was formed by youths, the PPP today is led by youths, so nobody cannot tell us that the PPP is not interested in youths”.
“A vote for the PPP/C is a vote for 5 more years of development, a vote for the PPP/C is for 5 more years of visionary strategic leadership. Comrades be focus and be serious,” he said.