Dozens of voters in Georgetown queued up before dawn Monday to take part in what many see as Guyana’s most consequential election in decades, a contest that will determine who oversees about $10 billion in annual revenue from offshore oil and gas production.
In recent years, Guyana has shifted from a traditional economy based on gold, sugar, rice, bauxite and timber to one buoyed by a surge in oil production, now producing roughly 900,000 barrels a day. The World Bank has highlighted Guyana as one of the world’s fastest-growing economies, with GDP rising at roughly 15% annually over the past six years. ExxonMobil leads an international consortium in developing the country’s offshore resources, with applications filed for four additional oil fields as the prospect of greater revenue looms.
The election features six participating parties, but most observers see a contest among the governing Indo-dominated People’s Progressive Party (PPP) led by President Irfaan Ali, the Afro-supported main opposition A Partnership for National Unity (APNU), and a newcomer, We Invest In Nationhood (WIN), a mixed-race party led by Azruddin Mohamed, a businessman from one of Guyana’s wealthiest families.
Ali, 45, an urban planner, has framed the vote as a mandate for a second term. At a rally Saturday, he urged supporters to “trust us once more to deliver greater, better, faster and more efficiently” as he promised experience and a roadmap to a bright, prosperous future. Norton, 68, who leads APNU, counters that Ali’s administration has fostered corruption, nepotism, harassment of opposition voices and what he calls imprudent use of oil revenues, arguing the party’s aim is to restore decency, law and order, and universal benefits from the nation’s oil wealth.
Voters like Evelyn Crawford, a 75-year-old retiree, expressed concern that the nation’s pension payments—about $200 per month for seniors—are insufficient in a country flush with oil money. “What they give us is not enough. I would like to see people lifted out of poverty,” she said after casting her ballot.
A new voice in the race isWIN, which has drawn support from first-time and younger voters, including Indigenous parents like DeLinda Henry. She said she backs Mohamed’s bid because she believes he “does not need to steal any money” and notes his family’s wealth as a pledge of his seriousness.
Mohamed’s campaign faces its own hurdles. The U.S. Treasury Department sanctioned Mohamed, his father, their gold-exporting company, and a government official last year for alleged public corruption in a bribery scheme spanning 2019 to 2023. Mohamed denies the charges, but the United States has said it would be hesitant to engage with committees or agencies in which he might serve if he were elected.
Beyond the presidential race, voters are selecting 65 members of Parliament, with control of the state’s oil revenues a central point of contention. On Sunday, election officials traveling by river near the Venezuela border came under gunfire, though no injuries were reported and no election materials were damaged. Authorities said the fire appeared to come from Venezuela as tensions between the two neighbors over territorial claims persist.
International observers were on the ground for the vote, including teams from The Carter Center, the Organization of American States, and Caricom members, underscoring the importance of transparency in a country undergoing an oil-fueled economic transformation.
There are 757,000 registered voters in a country of about 794,000 residents, and questions remain about the voter list’s size and the absence of a 2022 population census, a pre-election concern raised by The Carter Center.
Summary of context and what to watch
– Guyana’s oil wealth has dramatically reshaped its economy and public expectations, heightening the stakes of the election.
– The integrity of oil revenue management is a key issue, as is the balance between rapid development and the prevention of corruption.
– The border incident with Venezuela adds a layer of geopolitical tension to a vote already watched closely by regional and international observers.
– The results could influence not only domestic spending and social programs but also how foreign investors and multinational energy firms approach opportunities in Guyana.
Additional analysis and context
– Governance and institutions: Expect close scrutiny of how a new government would steward oil revenues, potentially through transparency measures, accountability mechanisms, and social programs that reduce poverty without stoking inflation.
– Economic diversification: While oil dominates now, policymakers may need to pursue diversification to mitigate volatility and ensure long-term prosperity as petroleum revenues evolve.
– Regional implications: Guyana’s oil boom affects neighboring countries and regional energy markets, and the election outcome could influence regional cooperation on maritime boundaries, environmental standards, and investment in infrastructure.
– Civic engagement: The presence of a new party reflects a desire among younger and first-time voters for alternative leadership and fresh approaches to governance.
Overall, the vote is being watched as a turning point for how Guyana will manage its oil wealth, address social needs, and navigate regional dynamics while sustaining economic growth. If governance is prudent and inclusive, the country could translate its oil windfall into broadly shared prosperity.