In a searing joint statement issued yesterday, the Guyana Trades Union Congress (GTUC) and the Institute for Action Against Discrimination (IFAAD) sounded the alarm over what they describe as dangerous lapses in electoral transparency and fairness by the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM).
The two civic bodies are demanding the immediate, unbiased distribution of the Preliminary List of Electors (PLE) to all registered political parties—calling any delay or selective engagement “a betrayal of democratic principles.”
GECOM recently announced the List will only be issued to the two major parties- The People’s Progressive Party (PPP) and the People’s National Congress PNC. GECOM’s decision was met with spirited push back from the smaller parties and wider society.
“This nation belongs to all Guyanese,” the statement declares. “The right to participate in free and fair elections is a cornerstone of our democratic society.”
The organizations sharply criticised what they see as GECOM’s failure to uphold its constitutional duty of impartiality. They argue that by withholding or selectively sharing vital electoral documents like the PLE, the Commission risks disenfranchising smaller or less influential political parties—undermining the integrity of the entire electoral process.
“GECOM is constitutionally mandated to act in the interest of the people and the democratic process—not to selectively engage with some political entities while marginalising others.”
The call for action doesn’t stop there. GTUC and IFAAD are urging GECOM to implement biometric voter verification systems, including fingerprint and facial recognition, to combat electoral fraud and reinforce public trust in the voting process. They point to Ghana’s successful implementation of such a system in six weeks—despite having nearly 20 times as many registered voters as Guyana. Ghana had an electoral roll of 15 million but was able to implement a biometric system in just six weeks.
The call to action is clear and urgent. GTUC and IFAAD are demanding that GECOM adopt biometric voter verification—fingerprint and facial recognition—to curb electoral fraud and restore public trust. They cite Ghana as proof it can be done: with a voter roll of 15 million—nearly 20 times Guyana’s—Ghana rolled out a biometric system in just six weeks.
Guyana, with fewer than 800,000 registered voters and an electoral list already mired in credibility issues, has no excuse. The current Official List of Electors stands at 738,484—a suspiciously high number given the country’s total population. Yet, GECOM continues to delay. Chief Election Officer Vishnu Persaud claims biometrics would cost US$20 million, a price that oil-rich Guyana can clearly afford.
“This is not a matter of cost, but of commitment,” the statement emphasizes. “Guyana can afford it. But more importantly, we cannot afford not to.”
The tone of the statement is urgent, even defiant, as the organisations warn GECOM that any departure from transparency and fairness is an affront to the Constitution of Guyana and to every citizen’s right to participate in the democratic process.
“There is no democracy without fairness, and no legitimacy without trust,” the statement concludes. “The time to act is now.”
The five key demands issued to GECOM are:
- Immediate distribution of the Preliminary List of Electors to all registered parties
- Unbiased operation in keeping with its constitutional mandate
- Equal treatment and access for all political parties
- Swift implementation of biometric voter verification
- Strict adherence to the rule of law and democratic principles
The GTUC and IFAAD have pledged to continue monitoring GECOM closely and say they will not hesitate to advocate—“at every level”—to defend citizens’ rights and the integrity of Guyana’s elections.
With the country heading into what could be a contentious electoral cycle, this bold statement may well signal a new era of civic resistance against any erosion of democratic standards.
See full statement below
Joint Statement by GTUC and IFAAD On Electoral Fairness and Urgent Action by GECOM
The Guyana Trades Union Congress (GTUC) and the Institute For Action Against Discrimination (IFAAD) jointly call on the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) to immediately distribute the Preliminary List of Electors (PLE) to all registered political parties without delay or bias.
As stewards of democracy and defenders of equal rights in Guyana, we are deeply concerned by any decision or practice by GECOM that may appear discriminatory or inconsistent with the principles of fairness, transparency, inclusion and the right to vote. GECOM is constitutionally mandated to act in the interest of the people and the democratic process—not to selectively engage with some political entities while marginalising others.
This nation belongs to all Guyanese, and the right to participate in free and fair elections is a cornerstone of our democratic society. Therefore, GECOM must ensure that every political party, regardless of size or perceived influence, is treated with equal respect and given timely access to critical electoral resources, including the Preliminary List of Electors.
We further urge GECOM to move swiftly toward the implementation of biometric voter verification systems, such as fingerprint and facial recognition technology, to safeguard the integrity of the vote. These tools are essential to preventing electoral fraud and ensuring that each vote cast is secure and legitimate.
If Ghana—with an electoral roll of 15 million—was able to implement a biometric system in just six weeks, then Guyana, with fewer than 800,000 voters and a list already clouded by credibility concerns, can do the same—if not better.
This is not a matter of cost, but of commitment. GECOM must demonstrate the will to uphold free, fair, and credible elections, and the government must provide the financial resources to make it happen. Guyana can afford it. But more importantly, we cannot afford not to. Doing right by the citizens and safeguarding the integrity of the electoral process is not optional—it is the bedrock of democracy.
We remind GECOM that this is a democratic nation, guided by the laws of the Cooperative Republic of Guyana. Any deviation from lawful, transparent, and impartial practices not only threatens the credibility of the electoral process but also undermines public trust in our institutions.
We therefore call upon GECOM to:
- Distribute the Preliminary List of Electors to all registered political parties immediately.
- Act without fear or favour, as required by its constitutional mandate.
- Ensure equal treatment of all political parties and equitable access to electoral materials.
- Implement biometric safeguards to protect the integrity and credibility of the electoral process.
- Uphold the rule of law and respect the principles of democracy in all its operations.
The GTUC and IFAAD will continue to vigilantly monitor developments and will not hesitate to advocate — at every level — for the protection of citizens’ rights, electoral integrity, and the democratic future of Guyana.
There is no democracy without fairness, and no legitimacy without trust. The time to act is now.
Lincoln Lewis
General Secretary
Guyana Trades Union Congress (GTUC)
Pt. Ubraj Narine
Vice Chairman
Institute for Action Against Discrimination (IFAAD)
