The Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) has been allocated just over $7.3 billion to conduct activities related to the upcoming General and Regional elections. The budget was approved on Monday during the consideration of estimates in the National Assembly, with Minister of Parliamentary Affairs and Governance, Gail Teixeira, presenting the breakdown on behalf of GECOM.
Teixeira responded to questions from Opposition Members of Parliament, explaining how the funds would be distributed. Among the key allocations, $1.8 billion is set aside for operating expenses, $1.114 billion for goods and services, including civic education programs and the production of election-related materials, and $1.7 billion for employment costs. An additional $1.6 billion is earmarked for wages and salaries of election workers, with $227.3 million for rental and maintenance of buildings used as polling stations.
The budget also includes provisions for $193 million in education and training, $3 million for advertising election worker positions, $95 million for printing manuals, and $135 million for T-shirts for election staff. Furthermore, $25 million has been allocated for engagement with civil organizations, and $15 million for the distribution of voter information materials. Security at polling stations and registration offices will cost another $193 million.
Despite these significant preparations, the issue of election integrity remains a key point of contention, particularly regarding the implementation of a biometric voter registration system. This was a widely discussed proposal for years, with broad support from all major political parties—until late last year. The People’s Progressive Party (PPP), which had previously supported biometric registration, reversed its stance, stating it would only back the system provided it did not interfere with the upcoming 2025 elections.
The debate over biometrics remains polarized. While some argue that introducing the system would be unconstitutional, others believe that constitutional amendments could be made to accommodate it. Many, however, view biometric voter registration as a crucial safeguard to prevent election fraud, including incidents of dead people voting, individuals casting votes outside the country, or multiple votes being cast by the same person.
Biometric voter registration is seen as a potential solution to such issues, especially following allegations of irregularities during past elections, including the controversial 2020 recount process. The general consensus among critics is that the PPP would likely benefit from the absence of biometric safeguards, given the revelations from the 2020 Recount. Many have raised questions about GECOM’s reluctance to require the necessary legal amendments to implement biometrics, despite widespread support for the system. The political opposition and sections of civil society remain adamant that GECOM has more than enough time to implement biometrics to ensure the integrity and transparency of the electoral process.
