The Alliance For Change (AFC) has issued a scathing critique of the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM), accusing it of being in a state of disarray ahead of the upcoming General and Regional elections. In a statement the party expressed concern over significant internal disagreements within GECOM regarding the residency requirements for voters, which could lead to prolonged legal battles and potential instability as the country approaches elections.
At the heart of the issue is a dispute between GECOM’s Legal Officer Kurt DaSilva and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Vishnu Persaud over the interpretation of residency rules for regional elections. While the Legal Officer believes that voters should be required to prove residency, echoing pre-2022 standards, the CEO has contradicted this stance, stating that this is not his position. The AFC argues that this confusion at the top levels of GECOM signals deep dysfunction within the electoral body.
The controversy stems from the 2022 revisions to the Representation of the People Act (ROPA), which made it easier for individuals to register to vote by simplifying the residency verification process. Under the new regulations, GECOM is only required to verify an address, rather than confirming that a person actually lives at the registered address. The AFC contends that this lack of verification undermines the integrity of the electoral process, especially for regional elections where residency is a key requirement for voting.
The AFC further argues that the inconsistency between GECOM’s Legal Officer and CEO reflects broader systemic failures at the commission. “With such confusion at the helm, we are looking at potential legal challenges now and well after the elections,” the AFC’s statement reads.
Failure to conduct review of the 2020 Elections
The party criticised GECOM’s failure to conduct an internal review after the chaos of the 2020 Elections and noted that the commission has yet to implement critical reforms such as biometric voter identification, despite multiple recommendations from international observer missions.
The party also pointed out that GECOM continues to use a bloated voter list, a situation that the international observer missions had warned against prior to the 2020 elections. With elections just months away, the AFC lamented the lack of voter education and outreach, stressing that such failures could lead to further public dissatisfaction and unrest.
In a direct call to GECOM’s chair, Justice Claudette Singh, the AFC expressed concern that she appears “out of her depth” in managing the commission. The party urged Justice Singh to step down, stating, “we hold the highest respect for retired justice Claudette Singh but…in the best interest of Guyana, Guyanese and peace and good order, Madam Justice should resign.”
This appeal comes amidst mounting frustrations with GECOM’s handling of the electoral process, with many questioning the commission’s ability to oversee free and fair elections.
Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination
In addition to its critique of GECOM, the AFC issued a statement on the occasion of the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination on March 21. The party expressed solidarity with those combating racial injustice, both in Guyana and worldwide. The AFC noted that while racial discrimination in Guyana often manifests in subtle ways, it continues to limit opportunities and erode national unity.
The AFC highlighted that people of certain ethnic backgrounds often face targeted attacks, particularly when they criticize the government. The party reaffirmed its commitment to ending all forms of racial discrimination, stressing that equality and justice must prevail in every aspect of society, including employment, education, and governance.
The AFC also pointed to the unresolved investigation into the murder of the Henry Boys as a painful reminder of the need for justice in Guyana. The party also called for an apology from Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo for his derogatory remarks about Indigenous people and expressed concern over recent comments by the Minister of Labour that perpetuate harmful racial stereotypes.
The party has reiterated its commitment to the principles of unity encapsulated in its motto: “One People, One Nation, One Destiny.” And to this end stressed that every Guyanese, regardless of race or ethnicity, should have an equal opportunity to succeed and thrive, free from discrimination and injustice.
