The Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) has failed to make any substantial progress in implementing biometric voting systems, despite five years of discussions, widespread public support, and the clear necessity of such a system to address the growing concerns over a bloated voters list.
Last November, Chief Election Officer (CEO) Vishnu Persaud acknowledged that biometric voting would enhance electoral security by tackling issues like voter fraud, impersonation, and, most importantly, the integrity of the voter registry. However, his report revealed that GECOM has not taken meaningful action towards making biometric voting a reality.
In a feasibility study prepared for GECOM at the request of Opposition-nominated Commissioner, Vincent Alexander, Persaud noted that biometric technology could help provide more accurate voter identification and prevent multiple voting. Yet, despite recognising the potential of biometrics, GECOM failed to provide a concrete plan or timeline for implementation.
The study also flagged concerns, including an estimated US$20.7 million cost for equipment, potential technical issues, and the risk of exclusion in some regions. These challenges, while valid, do not negate the urgent need for a more secure and reliable system—especially in light of the increasingly bloated voter list.
The current voter list of approximately 740,000 electors in a population of approximately 750,000-780,000 has long been a source of controversy, with allegations of ineligible voters and duplication inflating the numbers. Government’s refusal to release the 2022 National Census has added to growing concern about the credibility of the voter list.
The need for a biometric system, Guyana Trades Union Congress General Secretary, Lincoln Lewis, said “has never been clearer, as it offers the promise of cleaning up the voter registry and ensuring that only eligible voters are casting ballots.” The biometric system could eliminate multiple registrations and instances of impersonation, directly addressing concerns over the credibility of the electoral process, Lewis told this publication.
Despite this, GECOM has failed to act decisively, continuing to rely on an outdated manual identification system that is prone to errors, inefficiencies, and long lines at polling stations. The report also noted that constitutional amendments would be required to allow biometric voting, yet this has not been prioritized by the government, despite the clear benefits.
While countries such as Brazil, Kenya, and Ghana have successfully implemented biometric voting systems, facing challenges along the way, GECOM has failed to adopt any similar efforts or invest in the necessary infrastructure. Lewis said, the lack of movement on this issue raises serious concerns about GECOM’s commitment to ensuring free, fair, and credible elections in Guyana.
The veteran trade unionist said that despite the public has repeatedly called for reforms to the electoral system, and the failure of GECOM to implement biometric voting highlights its unwillingness to modernise the process.
GECOM’s failure thus far to take meaningful steps toward introducing biometric technology, which is the pressing need for electoral reform, continues to attract discussion. Lewis told this publication, the integrity of the voting process, particularly in light of the bloated voter list, demands action now.
