A forensic audit of the Statement of Polls for District 8 – Potaro-Siparuni has uncovered multiple discrepancies in the vote tally and voter data submitted to the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM), raising serious concerns over the integrity of the process.
Official Valid Vote Count (As per SOP):
- APNU: 276
- AFC: 56
- PPP: 2,872
- WIN: 2,562
Total valid votes = 276 + 56 + 2,872 + 2,562 = 5,766
However, the tabulated total shown on the election list is 5,767—1 vote more than recorded, suggesting either a data entry error or vote inflation.
Rejected Ballots: Claimed vs Actual
According to the forensic review, the breakdown of rejected ballots is as follows:
- Want of official mark: 1
- Unmarked or void for uncertainty: 58
- Marked for more than one candidate: 3
- Marked to identify the elector: 6
Actual total rejected ballots = 1 + 58 + 3 + 6 = 68
However, GECOM reported 103 rejected ballots, which is 35 ballots more than the actual count.
Mathematical breakdown:
Percentage difference=(68103−68)×100=(6835)×100≈51.47%
This overstatement of rejected ballots by 51.47% significantly affects the transparency and accuracy of the results.
 Voter Turnout Discrepancy
Based on the SOP and rejected ballots:
- Actual total votes cast = 5,766 (valid) + 68 (rejected) = 5,834
However, the official list states that only 5,780 persons voted.
Percentage difference=(68103−68)×100=(6835)×100≈51.47%
 Mathematical breakdown:
Missing votes=5,834−5,780=54 Percentage difference=(5,83454)×100≈0.93%
While this may seem marginal, in Guyana, elections are often decided by as little as one vote—making such discrepancies highly consequential.
 Authenticity of Documentation
The original Statement of Poll was signed and stamped by the Returning Officer, certifying it as an authentic legal record of the election outcome in the district.
Call to Action
This forensic review of District 8’s election results reveals:
- Vote inflation
- Inflated rejected ballots (by over 51%)
- Underreported voter turnout
- Lack of reconciliation between SOPs and GECOM’s final figures
In a democratic system where one vote can determine a presidency or parliamentary seat, these anomalies cannot be ignored.
This publication and our research partners call on GECOM to immediately clarify and correct these discrepancies.
International observers are urged not to certify these elections as free, fair, or credible unless a full, transparent audit is completed and public confidence is restored.
