In this period of global history, where technological innovation is integral to the integrity of democratic processes, Guyana’s political landscape remains worryingly untidy and unpleasant. The strong resistance to incorporating biometrics into the electoral process by the People’s Progress Party/Civic (PPP/C) and the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) not only erodes the country’s democratic foundation but also shows an extraordinary level of backward thinking, one that is detrimental to the nation’s future.
As well, we can never discount the possibility of a hidden agenda behind the astonishingly stubbornness of the dictatorial regime in power, here. We, as citizens of this country, cannot just do nothing; we have to take appropriate action, within the confines of the law, to change this situation. Otherwise, we would never enjoy the fruits of the labour of our ancestors and the prosperity that should be available to all of us. Electoral reform (biometrics) is a first step.
Let me be clear, the core of this issue is the outright rejection of biometric technology- an advancement already successfully implemented in numerous democracies around the world. Biometrics, though fingerprint or facial recognition, offers an undeniable advantage: it ensures voter authenticity, eliminates the potential for voter impersonation, and contributes to a more transparent, reliable, and secure electoral system. Understanding the aforementioned benefits of biometrics, one must ask the question: why are GECOM and the PPP/C so vehemently opposed to this progressive step? The answer: power.
Let me set the context, Guyana’s history of election- related controversy is not one to be taken lightly. From questions of voter identification to widespread accusations of electoral fraud and irregularities, the country has witnessed the erosion of trust in its electoral system. Against that backdrop, the push for biometric voter identification should be seen not as a radical idea but as an essential reform aimed at securing the sanctity of the vote and restoring faith in the democratic process.
However, the PPP/C’s leadership, and GECOM, appear more concerned about maintaining the status quo than in pursuing reforms that could diminish the potential for electoral manipulation. They have often sought to justify their hesitance by presenting concerns about the country’s technical readiness, the cost of implementing such systems, and logistical hurdles. However, these are not mere roadblocks- they are vacuous excuses that lack a genuine basis in the current global technological scheme of things. Let us address these concerns one by one:
- Technical Capacity Argument: There is no plausible reason why Guyana, a nation that has made great strides in various technological sectors, should be deemed incapable of implementing biometric systems. Many countries with fewer resources or less technological infrastructure than Guyana have successfully integrated biometric systems into their electoral processes. One of the countries that has successfully implemented this technology is India. This country manages a biometric system for its elections, which is one of the largest and most diverse democracies in the world. Therefore, it is clear that the technical capability is not in question; the reluctance to advance is, and it stems from a reluctance to let go of outdated methods.
- Money: Another argument by The PPP/C and GECOM against biometric incorporation is that, the upfront costs are too prohibitive. But this claim lacks nuance. Whilst the initial investment in biometric technology might indeed be high it can save the country millions in contested elections, legal battles, and civil unrest. In reality, investments in electoral security ultimately reduce the costs associated with instability and electoral fraud.
- Logistics Argument: The logistical argument is perhaps the most absurd. Guyana successfully conducts elections in even the most remote regions. GECOM, for all its flaws and inefficiencies, manages to coordinate elections in rural and indigenous communities that are far less accessible than any urban center. Therefore, to claim that the country cannot handle biometric technology on a logistical basis is to underestimate the resilience and ingenuity of the Guyanese people and the capacity of modern technology to overcome such challenges.
In my view the real fear is the loss of political power and accountability. The true underlying issue with the PPP/C and GECOM’s resistance to biometric voter identification lies not in technical limitations and logistical challenges, but in a real fear of losing control; this is the only reason. It has always been the manifest desire of the PPP/C to totally dominate and control every aspect of our society. Even now, this authoritarian regime has assumed all powers to itself.
It has deliberately left the opposition off of state boards and out of certain institutions that help to hold government accountable. As a result, the opportunities for corrupt practices are readily available. Every day, there are stories and scandals about ministers and members of the PPP/C involve in strange activities. Therefore, the party would do everything within its power including preventing the incorporation of biometrics into our electoral process, to sustain its hold on political power.
For all that we know of Guyana, GECOM has attempted to tell us that this country- that has produced world class legal luminaries, doctors, scientists, and educators among many other in various disciplines; that is super rich in oil, gold, diamonds and other precious minerals; that has been dubbed as the breadbasket of the Caribbean- cannot advance and incorporate biometrics in its electoral system in time for elections later this year 2025.
Astonishingly, GECOM actually believes that Guyanese believe this mumbo jumbo. In 2020, the reputation of GECOM took an unprecedented hit. Still, it refuses correct the multiplicity of inefficiencies in its systems. In fact, this body did not even conduct a proper formal introspection of itself after the 2020 political fiasco. I would only note that given the extant character of and situation at GECOM, it is not difficult for anyone to conclude that that constitutional body with the core responsibility to securing the integrity of our democracy is holding it hostage.
The current electoral system, which has seen widespread concerns of fraud and manipulation, is deeply entrenched in the political operations of those in power. Introducing biometrics, with its potential for increased voter security and transparency, would inevitably expose weaknesses in the system that have allowed for manipulation and inefficiency. For a party like the PPP/C, which has faced repeated accusations of rigging elections and disenfranchising large sections of the electorate, biometrics represent a direct threat to its hold on power.
Again, it is an uncomfortable reality that the PPP/C has demonstrated a marked reluctance to pursue reforms that would bring about greater transparency. Clearly, this is not an issue of technical incapacity but of political will. The PPP/C has proven adept at navigating the electoral process with the tools it has- tools that increasingly look antiquated in an age where secure, digital voting systems are becoming the norm. Biometric technology would remove many of the avenues for the types of electoral malfeasance that have fueled Guyana’s bitter political polarisation for decades.
Guyana’s democracy deserves greater support not to be held hostage by the backward- thinking of those who are prepared to put their private and political interests about country. The roadblocks put up by the PPP/C and GECOM need to be dismantled. Our nation must immediately begin exploring and implementing biometric systems that would vastly improve the integrity of elections and encourage citizen participation.
Guyana should not be held hostage by outdated, inefficient, and insecure methods of electoral organisation. The leaders of GECOM and the PPP/C must stop framing technological advancement as an impossible feat; it is not. Instead, they must embrace and promote the idea that Guyana’s democracy can be strengthened and safeguarded through the integration of biometric technology. This is not just about improving the electoral process; it is about ensuring that every vote is counted, that every citizen is heard, and that the nation moves toward to a future that is as progressive as its vast potential.
As a people we must understand that no one is coming to save us. Nevertheless, we have immense power. Our future is in our hands. It is time for us, all of us, to raise our voices against that confluence of thoughts from the PPP/C and GECOM- influenced by private interests, shaped by inequality, injustice, and the desire to control and domination- that is preventing us from truly becoming “One People, One Nation, One Destiny,” and enjoying the wealth and prosperity of our land.
