GECOM reminds that dual citizens barred from contesting elections under Constitution

With Nomination Day for the upcoming September 1 General and Regional Elections fast approaching, the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) has issued a strong reminder to all political parties and candidates that individuals holding dual citizenship are constitutionally barred from being elected to the National Assembly.
In a statement recently released, GECOM emphasised the constitutional qualifications required for election to Parliament, warning that any list of candidates that includes dual citizens will be deemed defective.
According to the statement, Article 155(1)(a) of the Constitution specifically states that “no person shall be qualified for election as a member of the National Assembly who is, by virtue of his or her own act, under any acknowledgment of allegiance, obedience or adherence to a foreign power or state.”
GECOM noted that this clause was inserted to address longstanding concerns about dual citizenship among parliamentarians, and it reinforces the legal position that dual nationals are not eligible to be nominated or elected as Members of Parliament.
“It follows, therefore, if the name of a dual citizen appears on any List of Candidates, such a list would be defective,” GECOM cautioned.
In addition to the restriction on dual citizens, the Commission also drew attention to Article 155(1)(d) of the Constitution, which bars individuals currently holding or acting in key public offices from contesting for a parliamentary seat.
These positions include: Judge of the Supreme Court of Judicature, Member of the Public Service Appellate Tribunal, Member of the Elections Commission, Judicial Service Commission, Public Service Commission, Teaching Service Commission, Police Service Commission, Director of Public Prosecutions, Ombudsman, and Auditor General.
GECOM is urging all political parties and independent candidates to exercise caution in the preparation of their Lists of Candidates to ensure compliance with the Constitution and to avoid having their submissions invalidated.
The reminder comes as political parties finalise their slates ahead of Nomination Day, which is a crucial milestone in the lead-up to the national polls, and days after GECOM approved the symbols of 19 out of 22 political parties intending to contest the elections.
In a statement, GECOM noted that three additional symbols are pending minor adjustments before receiving final approval. Notably, two previously submitted symbols were withdrawn after their parties, Legalise Cannabis and Liberation Movement, merged with A Partnership for National Unity (APNU). This brings the total active contesting parties down from 24 to 22.
GECOM also clarified that it is maintaining open engagement with all political parties ahead of Nomination Day on July 14, 2025, when parties must submit their official lists of candidates.
One significant development was the approval of the We Invest in Nationhood (WIN) party symbol, led by businessman and presidential hopeful Azruddin Mohamed. Initially rejected due to its depiction of a jaguar, the symbol was later accepted after WIN clarified that it actually features a leopard.
According to opposition-nominated GECOM Commissioner Vincent Alexander, some parties were instructed to adjust elements of their symbols, particularly those incorporating the map of Guyana, to ensure accuracy. There were also mild objections regarding other imagery, such as eagles, but no symbols were rejected at the final meeting.
Among the approved political parties are key players such as the A Partnership for National Unity (APNU), the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C), and the Alliance For Change (AFC), as well as new entrants including GAMERICA, the Unity Movement, and the United Workers Party.
With party symbols now largely approved, attention has shifted to candidate nominations and preparations for the upcoming campaign.