A loss for WIIN: GECOM rules against political use of national symbols

The Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) has ruled that political parties cannot use national symbols in their branding, following controversy over a new party’s use of the jaguar from the country’s Coat of Arms.

We Invest in Nationhood (WIIN), a newly formed political party, had adopted the jaguar symbol as part of its party imagery. The jaguar is one of the central elements of Guyana’s Coat of Arms.

Citing Article 7 of the Constitution, the GECOM Chair emphasised that the Constitution is the supreme law of the land and that citizens have a duty to respect national symbols. As a result, the use of the jaguar — recognised as a national emblem — in party branding or campaign material was deemed unacceptable.

This decision reaffirms the principle that national symbols should remain apolitical, serving to unite the nation rather than be associated with any individual political movement. It also establishes a clear precedent that political parties must avoid any imagery that could create the impression of state endorsement or infringe on the integrity of national symbols.

While GECOM did not target WIIN specifically in the ruling, the case was a direct catalyst for the discussion, highlighting the importance of maintaining a neutral and respectful approach to the use of culturally and nationally significant imagery in politics.