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Key Points

Guyana is holding crucial elections that will determine how the country manages its massive oil wealth. Voters are choosing between President Irfaan Ali, opposition leader Aubrey Norton, and billionaire challenger Azruddin Mohamed. The winning party will oversee billions in oil revenue from ExxonMobil contracts while facing Venezuela's territorial claims over oil-rich Essequibo. International observers are monitoring the process after previous election delays and disputes.

Key Points: Guyana Elections Decide Oil Revenue Management Amid Venezuela Tensions

  • Over 750,000 voters casting ballots at 2,800 polling stations nationwide
  • Three-way race between President Irfaan Ali, Aubrey Norton, and billionaire Azruddin Mohamed
  • Oil production since 2019 quadrupled state budget to $6.7 billion for 2025
  • Venezuela claims Essequibo region where most oil reserves are located
2 min read

Guyana holds elections amid oil revenue debate and Venezuela tensions

Guyanese voters choose president and parliament to oversee billions in oil revenue, ExxonMobil contracts, and border disputes with Venezuela over Essequibo region.

"The next president will also face the challenge of managing a border dispute with Venezuela over the Essequibo region, where most of Guyana's oil reserves are located. - Al Jazeera"

Georgetown, September 1

People in Guyana are voting for a president and members of parliament who will oversee billions in oil revenue, offshore production with a United States-led international consortium, and tensions with Venezuela, Al Jazeera reported.

Over 750,000 registered voters will have until 6:00 p.m. (22:00 GMT) on Monday to cast their ballots at approximately 2,800 polling stations.

Six parties are participating in the election for the presidency and 65 parliamentary seats, but it is effectively a three-way race between President Irfaan Ali of the People's Progressive Party (PPP), Aubrey Norton of the People's National Congress Reform (PNCR), and billionaire Azruddin Mohamed, Al Jazeera added. Mohamed launched his We Invest in Nationhood party in March to challenge the two-party system.

Voting in Guyana has traditionally followed ethnic lines, with Indo-Guyanese backing the PPP and Afro-Guyanese supporting the PNCR, Al Jazeera reported.

Billionaire Mohamed has attracted younger supporters but remains shunned by the US, which sanctioned him last year over allegations that he and his father, Nazar Mohamed, defrauded the Guyanese government of tax revenue and bribed public officials. They deny any wrongdoing.

President Ali, seeking re-election, plans to use revenue from oil sales and royalties from contracts with ExxonMobil and other firms to fund infrastructure projects.

Since oil production began in 2019, Guyana's economy has grown rapidly, with the state budget quadrupling to $6.7 billion in 2025, Al Jazeera reported.

Opposition parties argue that oil earnings disproportionately benefit well-connected groups and have pledged to renegotiate the contract with ExxonMobil if elected.

The next president will also face the challenge of managing a border dispute with Venezuela over the Essequibo region, where most of Guyana's oil reserves are located.

Venezuela claims the area, which has been governed by Guyana since independence in 1966, and recently elected a governor there despite having no authority in the region, Al Jazeera reported.

Guyana's electoral commission has said results may be expected by Thursday or later. The party that wins the most votes will select the next president. International observers on the ground include The Carter Center, the Organization of American States, and members of the Caribbean Community and Common Market (CARICOM), to monitor the elections after the 2020 polls were delayed for five months over vote counting disputes.

- ANI

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Reader Comments

P
Priya S
The ethnic voting pattern is so similar to what we see in some parts of India. Hope they rise above these divisions for national development. Oil revenue should benefit all citizens equally!
A
Aman W
Venezuela trying to claim oil-rich territory is unacceptable. International community must support Guyana's sovereignty. We've seen how border disputes can destabilize regions - hope diplomacy prevails.
S
Sarah B
The billionaire candidate being sanctioned by US raises red flags. Guyana needs transparent leadership, not someone with corruption allegations. Hope voters make the right choice for long-term stability.
V
Vikram M
Quadrupling budget in 6 years! That's incredible growth. But they must learn from other oil-rich nations - avoid Dutch disease and invest in diversifying economy. Infrastructure is good but human development is crucial.
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Nikhil C
Respectfully, the article could have explored more about how ordinary Guyanese citizens are actually benefiting from this oil wealth. Are prices stabilizing? Is employment increasing? Elections should be about these ground realities.

We welcome thoughtful discussions from our readers. Please keep comments respectful and on-topic.

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