The Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) has imposed a ban on the use of cell phones within polling stations for the September 1, 2025 General and Regional Elections, a move it says is necessary to “protect the sanctity and secrecy of the ballot” and curb vote-selling. The decision follows mounting criticism from opposition-nominated GECOM commissioners, the political opposition, trade unionists, and civil society groups who raised alarm over the Commission’s previous stance, which had allowed cell phones into voting booths.
Had the policy remained unchanged, critics argued, it would have severely undermined the secrecy of the ballot and opened the door to voter manipulation, vote buying, and even post-election victimisation — all risks associated with the photographing of ballots. The Carter Center, in its pre-election assessment report, also condemned the permissibility of phones in the voting compartment, warning that such laxity threatened to erode public trust in the electoral process.
In its official statement issued Tuesday, GECOM said the new measures are “aimed at protecting the sanctity and secrecy of the ballot, particularly to address existing concerns regarding the potential for vote selling that is directly linked to the photographing of ballots.” The Commission stated that the prohibition and penalties are rooted in the Representation of the People Act, Cap. 1:03, and reaffirmed its commitment to “free and fair elections.”
To enforce the ban, GECOM committed to roll out a set of standardised measures at every polling station:
- Posting of visible “No Cell Phone” notices at entrances and within polling areas
- Polling day officials will instruct all voters in the queue to turn off their cell phones before entering
- Voters must place phones on a designated desk next to each voting compartment before casting their ballots
- Presiding officers will retain each voter’s ID during voting, to be returned only after the process is completed
- GECOM staff and accredited party agents will monitor voting compartments to detect attempts at photographing ballots — “respectfully of voter privacy while maintaining vigilance”
“If a voter is observed attempting to photograph his/her ballot, GECOM staff and/or Party Agents will immediately raise an alarm to prevent the action. Any voter observed taking a photograph of his/her ballot paper will result in a formal note being made of the incident, and a report will be immediately submitted to the Guyana Police Force for investigation,” the Commission warned.
The Commission emphasized the seriousness of electoral offenses, noting that the selling of a vote is punishable by a fine of G$65,000 and up to six months’ imprisonment.
While the move has been welcomed by many as a course correction, the pushback GECOM faced prior to the ban has highlighted ongoing tensions within the electoral body and wider political environment. Observers note that GECOM’s initial permissiveness on cell phone use could have compromised the credibility of the elections.
Nonetheless, the Commission now insists the measures are in line with “international best practices for election administration,” and that collaboration with the Guyana Police Force “underscores the seriousness with which electoral offenses are viewed and the commitment to rigorous enforcement.”
GECOM is urging all voters to comply with the new rules and cooperate fully with polling staff. “These new measures… are crucial for upholding the integrity and transparency of the electoral process,” the Commission stated. “GECOM is committed to upholding the principles of free and fair elections and will take all necessary steps to prosecute those who attempt to undermine the democratic process.”
See GECOM’s full statement below:
The Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) has, as a matter of policy, decided to introduce a comprehensive set of measures to prohibit the use of cell phones within polling stations for the September 1, 2025, General and Regional Elections.
This decisive action is aimed at protecting the sanctity and secrecy of the ballot, particularly to address existing concerns regarding the potential for vote selling that is directly linked to the photographing of ballots. The prohibition on cell phone use and the penalties for vote selling are rooted in the Representation of the People Act, Cap. 1:03.
Considering that the integrity of the electoral process is of crucial importance, the new measures are designed to ensure that every citizen can cast their vote freely and without undue influence, and that the secrecy of their choice is absolutely protected.
As a consequence of the Commission’s decision, the following measures will be implemented to enforce the prohibition of the use of cell phones in Polling Stations: –
Posting of a clear and prominent notice by the entrance and within every Polling Station explicitly stating, pictorially and in words, that the use of cell phones is strictly prohibited.
Regular announcement to all voters in the queue by polling day officials, informing them to turn off their cell phones before entering the polling station. Every voter will be reminded of the need to turn off his/her cell phone before he/she is given the ballot to vote.
The National ID Card or valid Guyana Passport or Driver’s Licence as the case may be, of every voter will be retained by the Presiding Officer at the point of the issuing of the ballot and returned after the voter has completed the voting process.
Voting compartments will be strategically positioned to allow GECOM staff and accredited Party Agents to observe if a voter is attempting to use his/her phone to take a photo of his/her ballot. This observation will be respectful of voter privacy while maintaining vigilance against the use of cell phones in Polling Stations.
In the event that a voter is observed attempting to photograph his/her ballot, GECOM staff and/or Party Agents will immediately raise an alarm to prevent the action. Any voter observed taking a photograph of his/her ballot paper will result in a formal note being made of the incident, and a report will be immediately submitted to the Guyana Police Force for investigation.
A designated desk or table will be placed next to each voting compartment, where voters will be instructed to place their cell phones before using the voting compartment to cast their vote. This will provide a visible location for phones, by all concerned, during the voting process.
GECOM officials will instruct every voter to place their phones on a designated desk/table before proceeding to the voting compartment. This instruction will be clear and consistently applied to all voters.
The Commission’s decision aligns with international best practices for election administration, which often include provisions to protect ballot secrecy and prevent electoral fraud. In this regard, collaboration with the Guyana Police Force underscores the seriousness with which electoral offenses are viewed and the commitment to rigorous enforcement.
It is imperative to understand that the selling of a vote constitutes a serious electoral offence which carries significant penalties. Offenders found guilty of selling their vote are liable to a fine of sixty-five thousand Guyana Dollars (G$65,000) and imprisonment for a term of six (6) months.
The Commission urges all voters to cooperate with these new measures, specifically because they are crucial for upholding the integrity and transparency of the electoral process. GECOM is committed to upholding the principles of free and fair elections and will take all necessary steps to prosecute those who attempt to undermine the democratic process.
