By Roysdale Forde S.C, M.P- I have written extensively about the indispensability of biometrics to facilitating free, fair and credible elections, in this country. Others have written and commented about the important of incorporating biometric systems in our electoral process. In fact, within recent times, there has been numerous letters to editors of our dailies, and posts and comments on various social media platforms on the question of biometrics in our electoral process. The reality of our democratic integrity hangs on integration of biometrics in our electoral system.
Notwithstanding that, the People’s Progress Party/Civic (PPP/C) government and the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) blatantly and disrespectfully refuse to actively acknowledge the importance of this system. But, in a stunning display of backwardness GECOM has not budged; it refuses to hear the cry of the Guyanese populace; it is bent on its own course of action which can only result in the discredit of elections 2025, here, in this country.
Further, the troubling refusal of the PPP/C government and GECOM to incorporate biometrics into the electoral process for the upcoming 2025 general and regional elections is potentially fatal to electoral integrity and transparency; it can only be remedied by willingness and urgent action by GECOM to integrate biometrics now in the electoral process.
Public outcry against the troubling position of the government is not only rooted in the obvious desire for modernity and security but also in the real fear, deeply ingrained historical distrust that many Guyanese have toward electoral processes, of rigging and manipulation of the electoral systems and processes.
And crucially, in an age where biometric technology has become ubiquitous in securing personal data, banking and even travel, it is unfathomable that the PPP/C government and GECOM are standing firm against the introduction of biometrics for voter identification. The PPP/C government has made moves to introduce and implement biometric technology Electronic National Identification for Guyanese.
The Immigration Department has introduced additional technologies to secure our National Immigration System. But the government has set its face as flint against this necessary technology to preserve and protect our fragile democracy. The adoption of biometrics is a no- brainer: it would strengthen the credibility of the voter list, mitigate the risk of fraud, and increase public confidence in the electoral process.
I am sure that Guyanese are well aware that biometrics- whether fingerprint scanning, iris recognition, or facial recognition- have been successfully implemented in numerous democracies worldwide to prevent identity theft and ensure that each individual only casts one vote. For example, in India, the world’s largest democracy, biometric voter registration is already well- established, helping to maintain a fair and legitimate electoral process.
Still, Guyana remains obstinate in rejecting a system that would undoubtedly safeguard its democracy. What is most galling is that the reasons for this reluctance remain unclear. GECOM claims that it’s a matter of logistics and resources, but is it truly beyond our country’s capacity to adopt such a system? The answer is plainly no. It is not!
But what is worse is that in the face of this troubling reluctance GECOM and the PPP/C government have allowed the voters list to swell beyond all reasonable limits. This list for 2025 elections could see nearly the entire population slated to vote- a population of roughly 800,000 people, but GECOM is preparing for over 700,000 names on the list.
It is a complete absurdity that is only exacerbated when one considers that the country’s population is estimated at slightly above 800,000, and more glaringly, many of those individuals on the list are not even in the country. Thousands of expatriates, many of whom have been living abroad for decades, remain eligible to vote- despite no apparent connection to the present state of Guyanese society.
As I see it, this voter list is a ticking time bomb of disenfranchisement, and without biometrics safeguards, it is simply an open invitation for manipulation. In a country with a complex demographic makeup, where ethnic and political tensions can run high, the risk of a fraudulent or bloated voter list cannot be overstated. If this list goes unchecked, it will undoubtedly lead to a distorted result that can never reflect the will of the people.
Again, to suggest that the inclusion of biometrics is impractical or costly is to insult the very notion of fair elections. What is at stake here is not just the legitimacy of the 2025 elections; it is the integrity of the country’s entire democratic system. The government and GECOM’s refusal to modernize the electoral process is not just an oversight but a deliberate strategy to ensure that the status quo remains intact.
It is no secret that electoral manipulation has been a recurring issue in Guyana’s political history, and the absence of biometric verification creates a perfect breeding ground for fraud. The government’s hesitation to embrace such a system can only be interpreted as a massive failure to genuinely address the concerns of the public.
It is increasingly difficult to ignore the growing narrative that the PPP/C may benefit from a bloated voter list that allows for easier manipulation and stacking of ballots. In essence, it can be seen as an attempt to maintain control over an electoral process that they know will be highly contested. But the government knows exactly what it is doing. The last census in Guyana, conducted in 2012, revealed a population of about 750,000 people.
The data from this census is crucial for understanding the demographics of the country and serves as a key resource for shaping government policy and electoral boundaries. Yet, with the 2025 elections on the horizon, the PPP/C government and GECOM have failed to release an updated, accurate census. In fact, there has been no new census data since 2012.
This absence of up-to-date census data is deeply worrying. How can Guyana hold free and fair elections when there is no reliable, recent measure of the country’s population? How can GECOM verify the identities of voters when the baseline information is over a decade old? Worse, what is the purpose of keeping the data outdated and inaccurate? Is it another strategy to maintain an electoral advantage?
In the absence of an accurate census, GECOM’s oversight in implementing biometric voter registration becomes even more glaring. The use of outdated census data directly contributes to an inflated voters list, further complicating the already questionable legitimacy of the upcoming election.
I would only note that, the democratic system is at the brink of collapsing. The PPP/C government and GECOM’s refusal to introduce biometric technology into the electoral process is an affront to democracy. The absence of up- to -date census data and the continued proliferation of an overstretched voters list reek of systemic failure- one that has become increasingly untenable as the 2025 elections approach.
Finally, it is frustrating to see the Private Sector Commission, and certain sections of civic society side with the government on this point. These sections of our society are lending support to the continued effort by certain forces in motion to retard the advancement of this mechanism necessary to enhance our democratic credentials. This would lead to the erosion of the thin thread of public trust in the system.
Public mistrust in the existing electoral system and consequently any result it produces will affect those businesses in many different ways. Public mistrust can have significant repercussions in terms of hindering economic growth and business development. It is true that when citizens lack confidence in government policies, regulatory frameworks, or corporate business practices, businesses may face skepticism from potential customers, investors and employees.
Again, this mistrust can lead to reluctance in making long- term investments, as companies may perceive a volatile or uncertain environment. As well, businesses may encounter challenges in fostering customer loyalty and brand reputation, as consumers may hesitate to support companies they perceive as being involved in unethical or corrupt practices. Ultimately, a lack of trust undermines the stability and confidence required for a thriving private sector, which can stunt overall economic growth in our country. One thing is clear. Business as usual is now grossly inadequate.
Therefore, the private sector, civil society and all Guyanese should push forward, together, in the direction of incorporating biometrics in our electoral system, in Guyana. It is the only way out of this political and moral maze that has entrapped our nation in inequity, injustices, discrimination, corruption and poverty.
