.svg) |
|---|
| Constitution |
|
 Guyana portal |
This is a list of theheads of state of Guyana, from the independence ofGuyana in 1966 to the present day.
From1966 to 1970 the head of state under theConstitution of 1966 was thequeen of Guyana,Elizabeth II, who was also the monarch of the otherCommonwealth realms. The monarch was represented in Guyana by a governor-general. Guyana became arepublic within the Commonwealth under the Constitution of 1970 and the monarch and governor-general were replaced by a ceremonialpresident, by that time.
The succession to the throne was the same as thesuccession to the British throne.
| No. | Portrait | Name (Birth–Death) | Reign | Royal House | Prime minister(s) | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Reign start | Reign end | Duration | |||||
| 1 | .jpg) | QueenElizabeth II (1926–2022) | 26 May 1966 | 23 February 1970 | 3 years, 273 days | Windsor | Burnham |
The governor-general was the representative of the monarch in Guyana and exercised most of the powers of the monarch. The governor-general was appointed for an indefinite term, serving at the pleasure of the monarch. Since Guyana was granted independence by theGuyana Independence Act 1966, rather than being first established as a semi-autonomousdominion and later promoted to independence as defined by theStatute of Westminster 1931, the governor-general was to be always appointed solely on the advice of theCabinet of Guyana without the involvement of the British government, with the sole exception of Richard Luyt, the former colonial governor, who served as governor-general temporarily until he was replaced by David Rose. In the event of a vacancy theChancellor (the head of the judicial branch, serving directly above theChief Justice of Guyana) would have served as theofficer administering the government.
Following is a list of people who have served as Governor-General of Guyana.
† Died in office
| No. | Portrait | Name (Birth–Death) | Term of office | Monarch (Reign) | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Took office | Left office | Time in office | ||||
| 1 | _portrait.jpg) | Sir Richard Luyt (1915–1994) | 26 May 1966 | 16 December 1966 | 204 days | Elizabeth II (1966–1970) |
| 2 | .svg) | Sir David Rose (1923–1969) | 16 December 1966 | 10 November 1969[†] | 2 years, 329 days | |
| – | | Sir Edward Luckhoo (1912–1998) | 10 November 1969 | 23 February 1970 | 105 days | |
Under theConstitution of 1970, the first constitution of the Republic of Guyana, the president replaced the monarch as ceremonial head of state. The president was elected by theNational Assembly for a six-year term. In the event of a vacancy theChancellor (the head of the judicial branch, serving directly above theChief Justice of Guyana) served asacting president. In 1980, the powers of the president were increased, with the establishment of the executive presidency.
Currently, the president is both head of state and head of government and, pursuant to article 91 of the Constitution, is directly elected on the basis of the votes cast in the general election. On Nomination Day, each list of contesting parties designate a member of their list as that party's presidential candidate. The presidential candidate whose party's list of candidates receives the most votes is elected president. In the event of a vacancy, theprime minister becomes president.
† Died in office
| No. | Portrait | Name (Birth–Death) | Elected | Term of office | Political party (Coalition) | Prime minister(s) | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Took office | Left office | Time in office | ||||||
| Ceremonial President | ||||||||
| 1 |  | Arthur Chung (1918–2008) | 1970 | 17 March 1970 | 6 October 1980 | 10 years, 203 days | Independent | Burnham |
| 1976 | ||||||||
| Executive President | ||||||||
| 2 | .jpg) | Forbes Burnham (1923–1985) | 1980 | 6 October 1980 | 6 August 1985[†] | 4 years, 304 days | PNCR | Reid Hoyte |
| 3 |  | Desmond Hoyte (1929–2002) | — | 6 August 1985 | 9 October 1992 | 7 years, 64 days | PNCR | Green |
| 1985 | ||||||||
| 4 |  | Cheddi Jagan (1918–1997) | 1992 | 9 October 1992 | 6 March 1997[†] | 4 years, 148 days | PPP/C | Hinds |
| 5 |  | Sam Hinds (born 1943) | — | 6 March 1997 | 19 December 1997 | 288 days | PPP/C | J. Jagan |
| 6 |  | Janet Jagan (1920–2009) | 1997 | 19 December 1997 | 11 August 1999 (Resigned) | 1 year, 235 days | PPP/C | Hinds Jagdeo |
| 7 |  | Bharrat Jagdeo (born 1964) | — | 11 August 1999 | 3 December 2011 | 12 years, 114 days | PPP/C | Hinds |
| 2001 | ||||||||
| 2006 | ||||||||
| 8 |  | Donald Ramotar (born 1950) | 2011 | 3 December 2011 | 16 May 2015 | 3 years, 164 days | PPP/C | |
| 9 | .jpg) | David Granger (born 1945) | 2015 | 16 May 2015 | 2 August 2020[a] | 5 years, 78 days | PNCR (APNU) | Nagamootoo |
| 10 |  | Irfaan Ali (born 1980) | 2020 | 2 August 2020 | Incumbent | 5 years, 195 days | PPP/C | Phillips |
| 2025 | ||||||||
.svg)
_under_President_LFS_Burnham.svg)
_under_President_H._Desmond_Hoyte.svg)
_under_President_Cheddi_B._Jagan.svg)
_under_President_Janet_Jagan.svg)
.svg)
.svg)
