Former Georgetown Mayor, Pt. Ubraj Narine, has called on the People’s Progressive Party (PPP) government to demonstrate its commitment to democracy by joining with others to realise the introduction of biometrics for the 2025 General and Regional elections. Narine, an advocate for the use of biometrics and Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs), emphasised that these technologies would enhance electoral transparency, eliminate voter list discrepancies, and increase national and international confidence in the electoral process.
Speaking with Village Voice News, Narine stressed that modernising Guyana’s electoral system is critical for ensuring fair and credible elections. He highlighted that biometric technologies, such as fingerprint or iris scanners, would provide accurate voter identification, eliminating the risks of duplication or impersonation. He also pointed to the advantages of Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs), which would streamline the voting process, reduce errors, and allow for quicker vote counting.
The former mayor noted that a key challenge in past elections has been inflated voters lists, often resulting from outdated records or deliberate manipulation. Narine believes that biometrics would solve this issue by ensuring a complete and accurate voters list.
In addition, Narine emphasised the enhanced security and transparency that biometrics and EVMs would provide. He believes that these technologies would significantly reduce the potential for electoral fraud and ensure a quicker, more efficient voting process. This, he argues, would improve public trust and lead to the timely formation of a new government without delays.
Narine also contends that his call on the People’s Progressive Party (PPP) Government to act is borne out of conviction the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) refusal to implement biometrics is influenced by the votes of the Government-nominated Commissioners, the fear of the PPP government, and Chairperson Claudette Singh’s ignoring the clamouring of the people. As a consequent, the former mayor said he is urging the government to allow for the implementation of the technologies, which would position Guyana as a progressive nation committed to democratic principles and modernising its electoral process.
Narine recalled that he made similar statements since 2023 and in 2025 GECOM has no reason not to deliver, on at least, biometrics in time for the 2025 Elections.
