2025 Elections Were “NOT free and fair” -Norton
September 6 2025
APNU Presidential Candidate Aubrey C. Norton has rejected the outcome of the September 1, 2025 General and Regional Elections, describing them as “NOT free and fair” and accusing the governing People’s Progressive Party Civic (PPP/C) of using state resources and unchecked financing to tilt the contest in its favor.
In a statement delivered on Saturday, via APNU Guyana’s Social Media on September 6, 2025, Norton thanked supporters and extended well wishes to all Guyanese, regardless of political affiliation.
“Permit me to thank our members and supporters for their support during the 2025 General and Regional Elections. I take this opportunity to wish all Guyanese the best, regardless of the party you supported,” he said.
According to Norton, APNU participated in the polls despite what he called “manifest deficiencies in the electoral system, including a bloated voters’ list and the lack of biometrics.”
He argued that these flaws, along with several documented irregularities, undermined the credibility of the elections.
“The number of irregularities which have been discovered and documented gives legitimacy to the position that the elections were NOT free and fair. These elections did not reflect the will of the people of Guyana,” Norton stated.
He pointed to international reports highlighting shortcomings in Guyana’s electoral system, recalling that as far back as 1997, observer missions raised serious concerns. Quoting the Commonwealth Observer Group’s 1997 report, Norton said: “We believe that the shortcomings contributed to the diminished credibility of the election results that were being announced by the (Election) Commission.”
The APNU leader also referenced the recent findings of the European Union’s Election Observation Mission, noting its criticism of the September 1 elections. “Though Election Day was peaceful, the playing field was not even,” Norton quoted EU Chief Observer Robert Biedron as saying. He added that the mission accused the PPP/C of “blurring the line between state and party using state resources and unchecked financing to give itself a massive head start.”
Despite the outcome, Norton insisted that APNU’s participation in the election ensured the party retained “political space” to challenge the government and push for electoral reforms.
“By contesting the Election, our Party has retained occupancy of political space that provides the opportunity to contest against the dictatorial tendencies of the PPP/C and advance the cause of social and economic justice, free and fair elections and a democratic culture in Guyana,” he declared.
Acknowledging APNU’s new position outside of government and the main opposition, Norton said the coalition would endure and rebuild.
“As a consequence of September 1, 2025 Elections, which were NOT free and fair, our Party has found itself in virgin territory of not being the governing Party or the main opposition Party. APNU, of which the PNC is a major Party, has a wealth of experience in weathering the political storm. We will come through this and we will be stronger and better,” he affirmed.
Drawing on the history of the People’s National Congress (PNC), Norton reminded supporters of past resilience.
“The People’s National Congress was also knocked down more than six decades ago, even though it had managed to win 41.1% of the electorate. Yet the PNC picked itself up, and through the committed support of its members and with hard work and dedication, it succeeded in achieving government approximately 3 years later,” he recounted.
He ended his address with an appeal: “After the PNC’s major loss in 1961, the Leader of the Party, L.F.S. Burnham, at a mass rally at Bourda Green, asked his supporters, ‘Will you not watch with me for one hour?’ Similarly, I appeal to all APNU supporters to watch with us at this critical hour. We are like the oak tree. We will re-emerge better and stronger.”
