
Guyana’s 2025 General Election who will win? And What at Stake.
- guyanamusicscene
- 7 days ago
- 4 min read
By GT Music Scene | August 17th, 2025
On September 1, 2025, Guyana heads into one of the most consequential elections in its history. For the first time since the country’s oil boom turned it into the fastest-growing economy in the world, voters will decide who should guide billions of dollars in new wealth and who can ensure ordinary Guyanese, not just the elite, benefit from it.
The stakes are high: 900,000 barrels of oil per day today, projected 1.3 million by 2027. GDP growth over 40% last year. Yet poverty, inequality, and unemployment still weigh heavily. Health outcomes lag, and education, while improving, isn’t yet reaching every corner of society. Add to this the shadow of Venezuela’s claim on Essequibo, which covers more than half of Guyana’s landmass, and the election becomes not just about economics, but national survival.

This year’s ballot is not just the usual two-way contest. It’s a four-way showdown that could break old loyalties and rewrite Guyana’s political map.
🔑 Meet the Candidates
Amanza Walton-Desir – Forward Guyana (New Party)
A lawyer and former Shadow Minister of Foreign Affairs, Walton-Desir broke from the PNCR in June 2025 to launch Forward Guyana. At 45, she represents a fresh face in politics, uniting disaffected PNCR supporters and younger, more progressive voters.

Strengths:
Brings legal and international experience, including work with aviation and maritime law.
Appeals strongly to women and youth voters.
Seen as bold for stepping out of PNCR’s shadow.
Challenges:
New party, limited resources.
Needs to build name recognition quickly.
Risk of splitting the opposition vote, inadvertently helping PPP/C.
Aubrey Norton – PNCR/APNU (Opposition Leader)
At 68, Norton is the veteran challenger. A lifelong politician with degrees from Guyana, Cuba, and the UK, he leads the People’s National Congress Reform (PNCR), the backbone of the APNU opposition coalition. He became PNCR leader in 2021 and has since sharpened his stance on oil contracts and education.

Why he might win:
Strong Afro-Guyanese support base.
Pushes for renegotiating oil contracts to give Guyana a bigger share.
Anti-corruption message appeals to frustrated voters.
Why he might lose:
Seen as an “old guard” politician, possibly lacking appeal to young voters.
Limited reach into Indo-Guyanese communities.
State media advantage favors the ruling PPP/C.
We Invest in Nationhood (WIN) – Azruddin Mohamed
Businessman Azruddin Mohamed launched the We Invest in Nationhood (WIN) party in June 2025, positioning it as a fresh alternative to Guyana’s political establishment. With the campaign slogan,

“The oil beneath our waters is temporary… but the potential in our people that is renewable,”
WIN frames itself around resource fairness and people-centered development.
Why They Might Win
Bold promises to renegotiate ExxonMobil’s oil deal and clamp down on gold smuggling speak to widespread frustrations over transparency and fairness.
Mohamed’s reputation as a successful businessman and philanthropist may appeal to voters who want private-sector style management in government.
WIN’s emphasis on investment in education, healthcare, and entrepreneurship resonates with younger voters and the growing middle class.
Why They Might Lose
As a new party, WIN lacks the nationwide machinery and loyal base that PPP/C and PNCR rely on.
Critics may question Mohamed’s political inexperience and whether business success translates into governance ability.
Risk of being seen as a “spoiler” rather than a serious contender if support is spread thin across regions.
Irfaan Ali – PPP/C (Incumbent President)
At 45, Ali represents the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C), Guyana’s dominant party since the return of democracy in 1992. A doctorate holder in urban planning, he first entered politics through housing and water policy. Backed by former President Bharrat Jagdeo, now his vice president, Ali narrowly won in 2020 after a bitterly disputed recount.

Why he might win:
Expanded social services, free university education, new hospitals and schools.
Loyal base among Indo-Guyanese voters (around 40% of the population).
Oil-driven growth, with cash transfer and wage-raising promises.
Why he might lose:
Infrastructure delays (like the Demerara River Bridge).
Allegations of corruption and inefficiency.
The rise of third-party candidates could chip away at PPP/C support.
What’s at Stake
This election isn’t just about leaders it’s about what kind of Guyana emerges in the oil era.
Oil Wealth & Distribution: Who ensures billions aren’t wasted or stolen?
Jobs & Youth Opportunity: Will Guyana’s young people stay, or leave for better prospects abroad?
Corruption & Governance: Can institutions keep up with rapid growth?
Essequibo Dispute: How will Guyana respond if Venezuela escalates its claim?
Why the Music Scene Should Care
Politics and music have always intertwined in Guyana. From calypso protests to dancehall storytelling, artists have been the people’s voice. In 2025, the connection is sharper than ever:
Just like stream counts decide who’s hot, votes decide who leads Guyana.
The same way GT Music Scene pushes Guyanese music to the world, Guyanese must push their voices into Parliament.
Youth the biggest voters and the biggest music consumers — have the power to remix the future.
This is not just politics. This is culture, survival, and pride.
Who has your vote? 🗳️
0%PNCR/APNU
0%WIN
0%PPP/C
0%MOVING FORWARD
Cast your vote and let us know:
Drop your choice, share your reasons, and tell us what issues matter most to you.
Guyana is standing on the edge of history. Oil wealth can lift the nation or divide it. Corruption can weaken institutions — or be rooted out by strong leadership. And just like the music that tells our stories, the ballot tells the story of who we are and where we’re headed.
On September 1st, 2025, it’s not just about politicians. It’s about you.
🗳️ Vote. Make your voice heard. Remix the future.
Comentarios