Integrity and credibility of next elections can’t be held hostage to bias, arbitrary decision of GECOM chair- Opposition

By Mark DaCosta- The political tension in Guyana continues to rise as the opposition expresses strong disapproval over the recent stance taken by the Chairperson of the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM), ret’d Justice Claudette Singh, regarding the introduction of biometric technology in the upcoming general and regional elections.

In a press statement released on 7th February 2025, the opposition questioned the competence and impartiality of Singh after she announced that the introduction of biometric systems, specifically digital fingerprint capture, would be explored only after the 2025 elections. They argue that this decision is a delay tactic that lacks technical substantiation and undermines the integrity of the electoral process.

The opposition has long advocated for the use of biometric registration and voting, stating that such technology would increase transparency, reduce electoral fraud, and foster confidence among the electorate. However, Singh’s recent comments suggesting that a technical expert would be hired to prepare a project for the biometric introduction after the upcoming elections have been met with harsh criticism.

In the statement, the opposition expressed their concern that the GECOM Chair, without sufficient technical knowledge in the field of biometrics and project management, had arbitrarily dismissed the possibility of implementing such systems ahead of the 2025 elections. Singh’s proposal to delay the process, according to the opposition, raises doubts about her objectivity and her ability to make fair and informed decisions.

The opposition maintains that Singh’s actions are damaging the credibility of the electoral process. They argue that such an important decision should be based on sound technical advice and expert consultation, not on the personal biases or limitations of the GECOM Chair. They further assert that as the elections draw nearer, any delay in introducing biometric measures only jeopardises the integrity of the electoral process.

“We welcome the recognition that experts should be hired to address this issue. The Chair of GECOM is quoted as saying that the expert would be tasked with preparing a project document outlining all the technological, legal, financial and operational issues involved. The question is how did she arrive at the conclusion that it cannot be done for the 2025 General and Regional Elections when she lacks the technical knowledge?” the statement from the opposition reads.

The opposition also rejected the suggestion that the issue of biometric registration should be deferred until after the elections, arguing that it was not a satisfactory response to their calls for immediate action. They reiterated that only expert advice would enable GECOM to make informed, unbiased decisions on biometric use, something that is crucial for the future of Guyana’s democratic processes.

The opposition recalled a press conference held on 24th January 2025, where they had called on GECOM to consult expert firms regarding the implementation of biometric systems. They stated that such consultations were necessary to ensure a fair and transparent electoral process, claiming that any decision made without this consultation would be flawed.

“The integrity and credibility of the next elections cannot be held hostage to the bias, and arbitrary decision of the GECOM chair when she lacks the requisite technical knowledge to do so,” the opposition stated.

They also expressed concern about the lack of technical input in Singh’s earlier ruling against biometric voting, stating that it was done without consulting relevant experts. The opposition continues to call for the immediate hiring of specialists to guide GECOM on the way forward, emphasising that only such measures will allow for credible decision-making regarding the use of biometrics in future elections.

As the 2025 elections draw closer, the opposition warned that the PPP government may resort to creating political and racial divisions in an attempt to strengthen its waning support. The opposition vowed to resist such efforts and continue exposing any actions that undermine the nation’s democratic principles. They encouraged the public to remain vigilant against government corruption and divisiveness.

“The Opposition will expose and resist such efforts, while protecting the rights and freedoms of all citizens and urge Guyanese to fight PPP corruption, incompetence and divisiveness,” the statement concluded.

As the political landscape in Guyana continues to evolve, the role of GECOM and the future of biometric voting remain central to the ongoing debates surrounding the integrity of the upcoming elections.