As General and Regional elections approach later this year, demands for the introduction of biometric voter registration and verification systems are intensifying, with mounting criticism directed at the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) for its failure to take action.
The latest wave of concern was sparked by a statement from GECOM Chairperson, retired Justice Claudette Singh, who announced that biometric systems would not be feasible for the upcoming election. Singh disclosed, after meeting the governing People’s Progressive Party (PPP) last week, that while GECOM would hire a consultant to explore the potential implementation of biometric fingerprint capture, that it would not be ready for the 2025 elections. This revelation has been met with widespread anger from political and civil society groups, who have long demanded that biometrics be integrated into the electoral process to ensure fairness and integrity.
One of the most vocal advocates for a more efficient GECOM, AFC Leader, Nigel Hughes, slammed GECOM for its dysfunction and lack of preparedness. Hughes accused the commission of dragging its feet on the issue, despite the growing calls for biometric systems. He noted that the absence of decisive action from GECOM had left the public frustrated and disillusioned with the election process.
Leader of the Opposition Aubrey Norton also flayed GECOM Chair ret’d Justice Claudette Singh, stating that she “is acting as a bias arbiter, when she should be seeking consensus, and is causing Guyanese to raise questions about her competence, integrity and courage.”
Forewarned by GECOM’s incompetent and apathetic management, the Joint Opposition—comprising the People’s National Congress Reform (PNCR), Alliance For Change (AFC), and the Working People’s Alliance (WPA)—had signed a statement in November 2024, calling for the implementation of biometrics in time for the upcoming elections.
Adding to the growing pressure, Guyana Trades Union Congress (GTUC) General Secretary Lincoln Lewis has joined the chorus of voices demanding action. Lewis pointed out that by law, it is GECOM’s responsibility to communicate its readiness to hold elections to the president. He argued that GECOM should not signal readiness for elections until the biometric system is in place, highlighting the public’s demand for reform.
Lewis also called on GECOM Chairperson Claudette Singh and PPP General Secretary Bharrat Jagdeo to emulate the actions of President Desmond Hoyte and Opposition Leader Cheddi Jagan, who put the country before their political interests in 1990 to push for electoral reforms.
Businessman Dr. Terrence Campbell has also urged GECOM to get its act together and ensure biometric systems are ready in time for the elections. Village Voice News columnist, former PPP minister, Dr. Henry Jeffrey, expressed disappointment that whilst GECOM has acknowledged potential benefits of biometrics, including better security and reduced electoral fraud, the commission claimed it was too late to implement such a system for the upcoming elections.
The PPP was for biometrics before going cold on it. It has not escaped attention the PPP has historically benefitted from fraudulent votes and biometrics would not be in the party’s best interest.
Upping the pressure, opposition supporters held a protest in front of GECOM’s headquarters on Tuesday, demanding a clean voters list and the introduction of biometrics. The protestors, including several opposition leaders, expressed concern over the current state of the voter register, which stands at 738,484 as of January 2025. With Guyana’s population at approximately 750,000, many questioned the accuracy and credibility of the voters list, arguing that it leaves room for potential voter fraud and manipulation.
Citizens and civil society groups have also expressed their frustration with the late announcement from Singh. Many feel that GECOM’s failure to act swiftly has created unnecessary uncertainty ahead of the elections. There are growing calls for the elections to be postponed, if necessary, to allow for biometric systems to be fully implemented. Proponents point to international examples, such as Ghana, where a nationwide biometric registration exercise for 15 million voters was completed in just six weeks.
Guyanese are increasingly vocal in their belief that a delay of a few months would be a small price to pay to ensure the integrity of the election process. The call for biometric verification is not just about ensuring a clean voters list, but also about restoring confidence in the electoral system and preventing the potential for continued election malpractices. There is also fear if GECOM fails to provide the needed electoral reform its inaction can contribute to post-election social unrest which biometrics advocate are seeking to avoid.
Evidently as elections draws near GECOM will face growing pressure from the opposition, unions, and the public to act quickly. The commission’s preparedness is now under intense scrutiny, and the clock is ticking for GECOM to implement the necessary reforms to ensure that Guyana’s elections are free, fair, and transparent.
