Forward Guyana Presses GECOM for Clarity on Commonwealth Voter Participation

The Forward Guyana Movement (FGM) is demanding answers from the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) regarding the registration and participation of Commonwealth citizens in the 2025 General and Regional Elections—raising transparency concerns that go to the heart of electoral credibility.

On September 10, 2025, FGM Leader Amanza Walton-Desir formally wrote to GECOM Chair, Justice (Ret’d) Claudette Singh, and all Commissioners, requesting critical information related to the eligibility, registration, and voting activity of Commonwealth nationals residing in Guyana. To date, only Commissioner Vincent Alexander has acknowledged the correspondence. Although the Chair’s Secretariat confirmed receipt of the letter by phone, GECOM has yet to issue a formal acknowledgement or any substantive response.

The Movement’s request includes:

• The total number of registered voters classified as Commonwealth citizens domiciled in Guyana;

• A breakdown of those voters by country of origin;

• The number of Commonwealth citizens who actually voted, also disaggregated by country;

• The statutory or regulatory provisions under which these voters were registered and permitted to cast ballots; and

• Any internal directives, guidelines, or circulars issued by GECOM staff regarding the registration and voting of Commonwealth nationals.

According to Walton-Desir, the request is grounded in the Movement’s commitment to transparency, accountability, and public trust in the electoral process.

“Timely clarity from GECOM on these questions is not only important to political stakeholders, but to the Guyanese public at large, who deserve assurance that all aspects of the electoral process are conducted within the law and with fairness,” Walton-Desir stated.

FGM has given GECOM a seven-day deadline to formally respond and has also circulated the correspondence to key international observer missions, including the European Union, the Commonwealth Secretariat, the Organization of American States (OAS), and the Carter Center.

The Movement reaffirmed its intention to continue engaging with public institutions in a respectful but firm manner, as part of its broader efforts to strengthen electoral integrity and uphold democratic values in Guyana.