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Opposition criticizes PPP's infrastructure spending, seeks

more

oil revenue

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APNU and AFC shift stance on Exxon contract renegotiation

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Azruddin Mohamed's new party could affect election outcome

By Kemol King

GEORGETOWN, Aug 29 (Reuters) - Guyanese voters will cast

general election ballots on Monday to decide whether President

Irfaan Ali's ruling People's Progressive Party preserves its

parliamentary majority and keeps steering one of the world's

fastest-growing economies.

Powered by offshore discoveries made by ExxonMobil ( XOM ), the South

American country, home to some 800,000 people, has recorded

double-digit economic growth for five years straight.

But opposition groups - including five parties challenging

the PPP for parliamentary seats - say the government's

infrastructure-heavy spending drive has not done enough to

address high everyday expenses and improve the quality of life.

The PPP, which scraped together a majority of 33 of 65

National Assembly seats in the 2020 election, is widely expected

to secure the most seats again because of its strong base among

Indo-Guyanese voters, Guyana's largest ethnic group, and the

fracturing of a coalition that once unseated it.

Even a small drop in seats could force the party to seek

opposition support to pass laws.

The government has given annual pay hikes to its workers and

offered cash transfers to Guyanese residents while expanding its

housing program, though critics allege PPP loyalists benefited

most, an accusation Ali has denied.

"President Ali has delivered on many of his promises through

healthcare, infrastructure, and especially with empowering

youths," said Chandradatt Jagdeo, a 24-year-old medical student,

highlighting a government decision to make tuition free at the

University of Guyana and other state institutions.

A gas-to-power project the government championed was originally

expected to be completed last year, reducing power bills and

frequent blackouts, but it has been delayed to mid-2026.

Three opposition parties have vowed to seek a larger share

of earnings from the country's contract with Exxon.

Two of them - A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) and

Alliance for Change (AFC) - signed the deal while in government

in 2016 and rejected calls to renegotiate it, but changed their

stance after leaving office.

Ali's government says it will preserve the deal, which Exxon

says it will not reopen.

"I support the APNU because I think they have a very sound

policy when it comes to people's development, in terms of

alleviating poverty for the masses, and not just a section of

people," said Maxine Aaron, 66, a retired veterinarian, adding

education for young people is vital.

WILD CARD?

The APNU and AFC, former coalition government partners, are

running separately this year, but have both pledged to channel

more oil wealth to low-income communities.

Meanwhile, popular businessman and former PPP donor Azruddin

Mohamed could be a wild card.

Mohamed and his father, gold mining magnate Nazar Mohamed, were

sanctioned by the U.S. last year over allegations they defrauded

Guyana's government of tax revenue and bribed public officials.

Reuters reported in 2023 that U.S. authorities believe the

family is using its gold-mining export routes to smuggle illegal

gold from Venezuela and Colombian cocaine.

The Mohameds have denied all wrongdoing, calling the

accusations defamatory.

The younger Mohamed has built popularity in poor and

Indigenous communities through philanthropy and founded his We

Invest in Nationhood Party in June.

Two new parties formed by ex-APNU members are also running

candidates.

Guyana's 2020 election was marred by a five-month standoff over

vote counting, before Ali was declared the winner. This time,

the elections commission has said it is working to deliver

results by Wednesday.