Shyne Demands Exclusive Use of Red in Upcoming General Elections

The United Democratic Party (UDP), under Moses “Shyne” Barrow, has formally written to the Elections and Boundaries Commission (EBC), demanding exclusive use of the colour red in the upcoming 2025 general elections. In a letter addressed to EBC Chairman Oscar Sabido Puga, John Nembhard stated that the party’s traditional colour should not be assigned to any other political faction.

The letter said, “The appropriate point of departure in this regard is to highlight the fact that it is accepted that the United Democratic Party has traditionally used red as its representative colour for all purposes since the inception of the party.”

The letter reiterates that “factionalism” is strictly prohibited under the UDP Constitution, and no outside entity—including the EBC—has the authority to determine UDP membership or candidacy. “No member of that faction is a UDP, as they were all expelled from the party. With the exception of the Hon. Tracy Panton, no one has challenged such expulsion.”

According to the letter, while Panton has legally challenged her expulsion, the matter is set for trial on March 31, 2025. It says that even if she remains a party member, the Central Executive Committee has “decided that neither Tracy Panton nor the other members of her faction will represent the UDP in the upcoming general elections and the EBC cannot decide otherwise. The UDP candidate for Albert, where Tracy Panton will contest the elections is Jose Uc Espat.”

The letter warns that if the EBC assigns red to any candidates outside the ‘official UDP slate, it would constitute an overreach of its legal authority. “This is tantamount to interfering in the internal affairs of the UDP and by extension, the elections. This has not been requested by the party nor has it been sanctioned.”