Guyana Trades Union Congress (GTUC) General Secretary Lincoln Lewis has firmly asserted that the implementation of biometric voting is entirely feasible and could be in place for the 2025 General and Regional Elections. Lewis emphasised that the process is not overly complex and could be completed in time, noting that excuses for inaction are no longer acceptable.
Biometric voting involves the use of biometric data, such as fingerprints, facial recognition, or iris scans, to authenticate voters during the election process. The aim is to enhance the accuracy, security, and integrity of elections by preventing fraudulent practices, including voter impersonation and multiple voting.
Speaking with The Village Voice News, Lewis underscored the Union’s commitment to ensuring free, fair, and credible elections, and insisted that any obstacles preventing this must be addressed. He pointed out that the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) has had five years to prepare, making further delays unacceptable.
Lewis emphasised that “biometric technology is not complex,” and the essential data to begin the process is already in GECOM’s possession—the fingerprints collected during voter registration.
He explained that GECOM already gathers critical biometric data, with each person applying for an identification card in Guyana required to submit fingerprints from both hands. This information, he said, could easily be incorporated into the voter registration process to create a secure and cross-checked voter database.
“The system already exists. What is needed now is for GECOM to move the process forward by acquiring fingerprint verification machines and making any necessary legislative amendments,” Lewis stated.
Central to the trade union movement’s efforts to preserve democratic integrity, Lewis emphasised that ensuring a “one-person-one-vote” system is critical.
He pointed out discrepancies in the voter registration numbers, noting that the registered voters list has increased from 660,000 in 2020 to 735,000 in January 2025, while the country’s population remains around 750,000 to 780,000.
At a press conference in January, GTUC raised concerns about 119 individuals being registered under a single address, suggesting the practice could be widespread. Lewis argued that these questionable increases and multiple registrations from a single address raise serious concerns about the accuracy of the voter list and potential for fraud.
He stressed that inaction from GECOM could no longer be tolerated. “The continued compromise of the electoral process is a direct threat to the strength and stability of Guyana’s young democracy. If we want free, fair, and credible elections, the time to act is now,” he declared.
On election day, Lewis proposed using fingerprint scanners to verify voter identities. Although GECOM may cite logistical challenges such as cost and portability, he remained steadfast that these concerns should not hinder progress. “This is doable,” he said. “The technology is available, and there’s no excuse for inaction. Biometrics can be used effectively to verify voters, and it’s a simple solution to a very real problem.”
Lewis outlined how the system would work: voters would scan their biometric data, which would then be cross-checked with the registered voter information in GECOM’s database. If the data matches, the voter would be allowed to cast their ballot. In cases where the data does not match, additional verification would be required or, in rare cases, access could be denied.
While committed to preventing voter disenfranchisement, the trade unionist acknowledged the high level of voter fraud in Guyana and stressed that biometric systems could significantly reduce or eliminate such issues. He noted that just as voters must meet age and district requirements, biometric verification is crucial to securing the electoral process.
The GTUC has also called on GECOM to implement comprehensive safeguards to ensure the system remains effective from voter authentication through to the counting and declaration of results. “This is not just about a fair vote; this is about the future of Guyana’s democracy,” Lewis said. “GECOM must lead the charge in securing that future.”
The GTUC takes pride in the fact that the struggle for one-man-one-vote started in 1926, with the Trade Union Movement under the leadership of the Father of Trade Unionism in the British Empire, Hubert Nathaniel Critchlow, who is also Guyana’s second National Hero. Lewis said the GTUC is not going to sit silent and allow this right to be further eroded.
The call for biometric verification in the 2025 elections has gained support from various political parties and advocacy groups, recognising the importance of addressing voter fraud and ensuring the integrity of the electoral process in Guyana.
