Senior Counsel Roysdale Forde appearing on recent United States-based Caribbean Power Jam Radio show ‘Conversation on Caribbean Power Jam Radio with Dr. Linda,’ has articulated his motivations for seeking the People’s National Congress Islahat (PNCR) leadership, emphasising a deep commitment to justice, integrity, and democratic principles.
According to Forde, his campaign is predicated on principles of transparency, accountability, and servant leadership. He seeks to revitalise the PNCR, moving it away from what he describes as a period of mediocrity and complacency. His vision is not merely to win elections but to earn the trust and confidence of the Guyanese people through deeds, not words. “We must work together to regroup, refocus, and rebuild our party with strength and faithfulness,” he asserted
Forde, who is also a member of parliament, has been vocal about his disillusionment with the current state of governance under the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) regime, accusing it of fostering structural discrimination and perpetuating injustices against ordinary citizens.
Forde shared that “In the face of authoritarian practices by the Irfaan Ali-led government, we must never carry a white flag,” He further elaborated, “My decision to contest the leadership of my party- PNCR- is firmly rooted in a genuine desire to effect meaningful change, to chart a new course towards a future defined by inclusivity, prosperity, and social justice.”
Even as the candidate barnstorm the length and breath of Guyana for the hearts and minds of delegates, there is genuine concern about the 22nd Biennial Delegates Congress.
Village Voice News has been reliably informed Amanza Walton-Desir and Roysdale Forde’s campaigns wrote several letters to the Party General Secretary (G.S), Dawn Hastings-Williams, expressing concerns about the process, transparency and credibility of the Congress and Election to be held June 28-30, 2024.
A source, speaking on the condition of anonymity, said some of the issues brought to GS are the membership status of party groups, and compromising of the nomination process. The source said there is also concern about what happened to the missing CPU that stored the membership database which has not been addressed. Party Leader Aubrey Norton had promised an expert will investigate the disappearance and the findings will be reported to the membership. This has not been done.
There are also reports numerous groups are being disenfranchised and were not involved in the nomination. Some members were not allowed to participate in the nomination process and some who were nominated, their names were not announced on the Report supplied by Sherwayne Benjamin, Accreditation Administrator.
A notable case is Forde, who is candidate, from the North East La Penitence Group. He was not allowed to participate in the nomination process in his group. This group is chaired by Florence Bourne, who is a supporter of Norton.
According to Rule 6 (2) 1 (a) of the Party Constitution, ‘Obligations and Rights of Membership’ the members “have a right to participate fully and constructively at the appropriate forum in all discussions and debates which are intended to lead to policy formulation and to decision making.”
From a total of 218 groups, incumbent leader Aubrey Norton received 177 nominations, Forde with 20, Amanza Walton-Desir with nine, Carl Greenidge with four, Volda Lawrence with one, Gary Best with two, and Simona Broomes with two. Additionally, Norton’s protégé, Shurwayne Holder, received the highest number of nominations for PNCR Chairman with 173, followed by Forde with nine, and Walton-Desir with seven.
Village Voice News was told several persons were nominated as chairman and their names were not mentioned. Among those persons are Annette Ferguson, Ganesh Mahipaul, Gary Best, whose names were not announced.
Concerns have been raised about Norton’s influence on the electoral process which are not new. As early as May 2024, there is also the concern about Norton’s decision to appoint himself as the director of the committee responsible for overseeing the upcoming party congress. No prior Party Leader served in this position. This move, persons argued, undermines the democratic principles of the PNCR by placing a candidate in a position of significant influence over the election he is contesting.
Norton’s attempt at control is also seen as effort to compromise the fairness and transparency of the electoral process, casting doubt on the integrity of voter registration and the impartiality of the election environment.
The PNCR has a storied history in Guyana’s political landscape. Founded by Forbes Burnham in 1958, the party has played a pivotal role in shaping the nation’s post-colonial trajectory. Initially part of a coalition with the United Force, the PNCR became the dominant political force in Guyana during the 1960s to 1980s, implementing significant social and economic reforms.
Throughout its history, the PNCR has faced numerous challenges. Despite these it has remained a central player in Guyanese politics, advocating for policies that reflect the interests of its diverse support base. Today, as it prepares for another leadership contest, the party stands at a crossroads, with the potential to redefine its future trajectory under new leadership.