The People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) and the Alliance For Change (AFC) are among the four political parties that have signed onto the Ethnic Relations Commission’s (ERC) Code of Conduct for Political Parties contesting the upcoming elections.

By signing the Code of Conduct, the parties have committed to safeguarding peace, order and respect for the democratic process.

We Invest in Nationhood (WIN), and Assembly for Liberty and Prosperity (ALP) are the other two political parties that signed onto the Code of Conduct. However, A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) and the Forward Guyana Movement (FGM) were absent from the signing.

Addressing representatives of the various political parties at the Arthur Chung Conference Centre, Chairman of the ERC, Sheikh Moeenul Hack said the Code of Conduct is in keeping with the ERC’s constitutional mandate to foster understanding, harmony, and good relations.

“Its primary objective is to ensure that the rule of law is upheld. Without the rule of law, democracy cannot flourish, and without order, there can be no peace,” the chairman said.

He explained that the clauses in the Code of Conduct are aligned with local legislation, in particular, the Representation of the People’s Act, the Discrimination Prevention Act and the Cyber Crime Act.

Noting that the code calls for the adherence of the laws, Shaikh Moeenul Hack made it clear, that it is not merely symbolic, but binding in spirit and principle.

“It affirms that all political parties must conduct themselves in accordance with the Law of Guyana and must actively appeal to their supporters to do the same. Respect for our legal framework is non-negotiable. It is the bedrock upon which credible elections and trust in governance rest. Elections, by their very nature, are designed to give voice to the people; they are a tool for good governance, not a time for hostility or division,” he said.

He said political leaders must understand and communicate to their followers that no electoral system is perfect, and as such, imperfections exist. Those imperfections, he said, should not be used to plant discord.

He said what it calls for is political maturity and restraint.

“We therefore call upon all political leaders to set the tone, to demonstrate tolerance and respect for all to defuse tensions before they escalate, and to provide guidance in moments of potential conflict. The true strength of a democracy is not merely tested at the ballot box but in how its leaders conduct themselves before, during, and after elections. This is a moment that requires statesmanship, not partisanship,” the chair said.

He said on signing the Code, political parties must vow to conduct campaigns peacefully, to reject hate speech and divisive rhetoric, and to put the national interest before partisan ambition.

He said the ERC will continue to monitor, guide, and support the electoral process.

Co-founder of the Alliance For Change, Khemraj Ramjattan, said the AFC is pleased to have signed the agreement.

“Indeed the signing today of this Code of Conduct for political parties contesting the National General and Regional Elections 2025 is but an affirmation to our commitment to peace, democracy, rule of law, and all that makes for the greater happiness of Guyanese,” Ramjattan said.

He said while there may be the urge “to get on bad,” political leaders must demonstrate restraint, and maintain peace in keeping with the Code. He also spoke of the need for political parties to engage with each other cordially during the course of the elections, and thereafter.

PPP Executive Secretary, Zulfikar Mustapha signed on behalf of the governing PPP/C, while Leslyn Lowe signed on behalf of WIN, and Eon Thomas signed on behalf of the ALP.

The signing was witnessed by a number of ERC Commissioners, officials from the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM), and members of the Diplomatic Corps.

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