Concerns about the integrity of Guyana’s electoral system are intensifying following a public warning from the Forward Guyana Movement (FGM), which accused the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) of ignoring urgent inquiries into allegations of foreign voter participation and inflated voter lists in the September 1 General and Regional Elections.
Today, in a social media statement, FGM criticised GECOM Chair, Justice (Ret’d) Claudette Singh, for what it described as an “unacceptable silence” on the matter. The group revealed that multiple letters seeking clarification on election-related concerns were never acknowledged by the Chair, with only Opposition-nominated Commissioner Vincent Alexander responding.
“Despite repeated correspondence, the Honourable Justice Claudette Singh… has failed to even acknowledge requests for Forward Guyana Movement (FGM) for clarification on election concerns,” the statement read.
“This silence raises serious questions about accountability in a system funded by Guyanese taxpayers.”
Voter List Irregularities and the Role of Foreign Nationals
FGM’s central warning revolves around allegations foreign nationals unlawfully registered and voted in just concluded elections, citing recent legislative changes and a lack of rigorous voter verification. According to the movement, the abolition of house-to-house registration, once a key tool for verifying the residency and eligibility of voters, has created opportunities for manipulation of the voter list.
The Movement points to a specific case of over over 100 registrants registered at a single Ogle address- Lot 5A Ogle, East Coast Demerara, Polling Division # 414115- suggesting that the bloated and unverifiable voters’ list may not only distort national elections, but also compromise the legitimacy of local government polls.
“We warn that recent changes to the law, including the abolition of house-to-house registration, open the door for foreign nationals to register and vote, potentially altering the country’s political direction every five years,” FGM said.
The group argues that the stakes are high, asserting that the democratic right of Guyanese citizens to determine their own future is now at risk.
Understanding the Legal Context: Voter Registration in Guyana
Under Guyana’s electoral laws, every Commonwealth citizen who is 18 years or older, has resided in Guyana for at least one year, and is ordinarily resident in the electoral district is legally entitled to register and vote. This includes nationals from countries such as Trinidad and Tobago, Jamaica, Nigeria, and India.
However, monitoring and verification mechanisms—such as house-to-house registration—were previously used to ensure that only qualified residents were entered into the Official List of Electors (OLE). This process involved GECOM officers physically visiting homes to verify the presence, identity, and residency status of individuals.
For the 2020 Elections, GECOM suspended house-to-house registration after political and legal challenges, opting instead for Continuous Registration. This method allows individuals to visit GECOM centers to register or update their information without the same level of verification.
Analysts say this change has weakened oversight, making it easier for unqualified individuals—including non-residents and undocumented migrants—to enter the voter roll unchecked. The FGM argues that this opens a dangerous path to foreign interference, especially in light of Guyana’s recent population shifts due to migration and economic growth spurred by the oil and gas sector.
Political and Electoral Ramifications
The allegations raised by FGM strike at the heart of Guyana’s ongoing electoral tensions. Since the controversial 2020 General and Regional Elections, which were marred by accusations of fraud and political interference, trust in GECOM has remained fragile.
GECOM’s silence in this latest instance, FGM argues, is only worsening public confidence.
“The stakes… are nothing less than the right of Guyanese to determine their own future without outside interference.”
The FGM’s inquiries — still unanswered by the GECOM Chair — reportedly include requests for:
The number of Commonwealth citizens registered to vote
Their countries of origin
Their participation rates in past elections
Legal clarification on eligibility requirements
This push for transparency has also gained international traction. FGM has escalated the issue to global electoral watchdogs, including the Commonwealth Secretariat, the European Union, the Organisation of American States (OAS), and the Carter Center.
A Broader Call for Reform
Beyond voter registration concerns, the FGM’s statement is part of a broader campaign for electoral reform. These include calls for:
Reintroduction of house-to-house verification
A full audit of the Official List of Electors
Campaign finance regulation
Media fairness
Greater GECOM independence
Whether GECOM responds transparently—or continues to sidestep calls for clarity—may define not only the credibility of the agency but also the long-term stability of Guyana’s democratic institutions.
