The Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) has refused to approve the use of the jaguar symbol by the We Invest in Nationhood (WIN) political party, which is led by United States-sanctioned businessman Azruddin Mohamed.
Election Commissioner Sase Gunraj, nominated by the ruling People’s Progressive Party Civic (PPPC), explained that the decision follows constitutional and cultural considerations.
“After discussion on the concerns regarding the use of Indigenous Symbols by Political Parties, the Chair ruled that pursuant to Article 7 of the Constitution of Guyana, the supreme law, which outlines the duty of citizens to respect national symbols, the use of the Jaguar which is part of the Coat of Arms, is not acceptable,” Gunraj told Sheriff News Network.
Only recently, the Chairman of the National Toshao Council (NTC), Derrick John and the Leader of the Liberty and Justice Party (LJP), Lennox Shuman, submitted letters to GECOM requesting that the jaguar symbol be withheld from Mohamed’s party.
The deadline for political parties to submit their symbols was June 23. The use of the jaguar by WIN has sparked public concern.
