The People’s National Congress (PNC) is ramping up pressure on the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) to urgently implement biometric voter registration and voting technology ahead of the 2025 general elections. In a scathing press statement issued today, the PNC emphasised that it has been over two months since Chief Election Officer (CEO) Vishnu Persaud presented a feasibility study to GECOM, detailing the benefits and practicality of using electronic fingerprint biometrics for voter registration and voting.
The PNC’s statement was sharp in reminding the nation that the demand for this study was a direct result of the persistent calls by opposition-nominated GECOM commissioners. The study itself concluded that biometric technology would provide significant safeguards against voter impersonation, multiple voting, and other forms of electoral manipulation. It also highlighted the potential for improved accuracy, data security, and overall efficiency in the electoral process.
“What more do we need to hear?” the PNC demanded. “The study was clear, the technology is feasible, and the time to act is now.”
The Opposition, as articulated in their joint statement following the submission of the feasibility study in November 2024, reiterated their commitment to supporting the implementation of biometrics in the upcoming elections. The PNC has expressed its readiness to engage in any necessary legislative or procedural changes to facilitate the introduction of biometric technology.
“We are prepared to support any necessary stages to bring about this change, including constitutional and statutory amendments if needed,” the statement read. “We remain ready to engage at the GECOM, parliamentary, and inter-party levels to resolve any technical concerns and ensure a process that is fair, transparent, and secure.”
The PNC is now calling on GECOM, and specifically Chairperson ret’d Justice Claudette Singh, to move beyond internal squabbles and focus on their primary responsibility—ensuring that elections are credible and free from fraud. They emphasised that Singh’s role as Chair is not merely to oversee the counting of votes but to guarantee that elections are conducted in a manner that inspires full public confidence.
“The Chair must understand that her responsibility is far greater than just tallying votes; it is about ensuring a process that is accurate and transparent. We need a system that all Guyanese can trust, and that means implementing biometric voter registration and voting,” the PNC stated.
According to the PNC, the recent claims from GECOM’s PPP-appointed commissioners that there is insufficient time to implement biometric technology are nothing short of a “sham.” Drawing parallels with Ghana, where biometric systems were implemented for elections in less than two months despite the challenges posed by COVID-19, the PNC argued that it is entirely possible for Guyana to do the same.
“With only 750,000 registered voters, Guyana has a far smaller electorate than Ghana’s 17 million, yet Ghana managed to implement biometrics in under two months,” the PNC pointed out. “The government’s recent boasts of registering over 350,000 people in Region 4 alone for the cash grant initiative show that it is entirely possible to implement such technology efficiently and quickly.”
The Opposition further called on GECOM to accelerate the implementation process by conducting several key tasks in parallel, such as staff training and public education campaigns, while procuring biometric kits and hiring additional field staff. Additionally, they suggested that the production of new voter ID cards, while beneficial in the long term, could be deferred until after the elections to expedite the implementation of biometrics.
“Costs should not be an obstacle,” the PNC asserted. “We need to prioritise the integrity of the electoral process above all else.”
The PNC’s statement concluded with a clear warning to the PPP and its GECOM commissioners: further delays and resistance to the introduction of biometric technology will no longer be tolerated. “The clock is ticking down, and Guyanese are demanding action. We will continue to hold the PPP accountable for their refusal to support a clean voters list and electronic biometrics,” the PNC said, adding that pressure on the government would only intensify in the coming months.
With the 2025 elections fast approaching, the PNC is adamant that GECOM must act now—before it is too late to ensure the integrity of the electoral process. The PNC is not singular in its call for biometrics to enhance the credibility of the electorate and guarantee a nation torn by years of allegation and proof of electoral malpractice.
