Shadow Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs, Senior Counsel Roysdale Forde, has called on the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) to reconsider its decision not to implement biometric voting in the upcoming election cycle. Responding to GECOM Chairperson, retired Justice Claudette Singh, who yesterday argued introducing biometric systems within the limited timeframe before elections was impractical, Forde strongly disagreed and outlined a compelling case for its adoption.
In an interview with Village Voice News, Forde emphasised that biometrics is critical to ensuring electoral integrity in Guyana, a nation often plagued by allegations of electoral fraud and ethnic tensions. He asserted that implementing biometric technology could significantly enhance public trust in the electoral process by reducing voter impersonation, eliminating duplicate registrations, and minimising other forms of electoral malpractice.
“Biometrics is not an untested concept—it has been successfully implemented in numerous countries worldwide and has proven effective in bolstering the credibility of elections,” Forde stated. “If Guyana is committed to credible elections, we must invest in tools that provide both security and accuracy.”
Addressing the Bloated Voters’ List
Forde highlighted the persistent issue of the bloated voters’ list, which he argued undermines public confidence in the electoral system. He stressed the need for a legitimate mechanism to ensure that only eligible voters—those alive, residing within the jurisdiction, and properly verified—participate in elections.
He pointed to prior concerns raised by the People’s Progressive Party (PPP) about the integrity of the voters’ list, underscoring that the issue transcends political lines. Forde outlined key criticisms the PPP had previously made about the voter registry:
- Outdated and Inaccurate Data: The PPP had argued that the list included deceased individuals and citizens who had migrated, potentially skewing election results.
- Failure to Remove Deceased Individuals: The absence of proper data cleansing processes had inflated the number of registered voters.
- Issues with the National Register of Registrants (NRR): The PPP expressed concerns over inaccuracies in the NRR, which they claimed still listed individuals who had died or left the country.
- Calls for a New Voters’ List: The PPP had advocated for the creation of an updated and accurate voters’ list to ensure free and fair elections.
The shadow attorney reiterated that addressing these issues through biometrics could help restore public faith in the electoral process.
Concerns Over GECOM’s Inaction
Forde expressed disappointment with GECOM’s failure to implement recommendations from election observers and the 2020 Commission of Inquiry (COI) Report following the contentious 2020 General and Regional Elections. He labeled the inaction as “appalling and troubling” and argued that GECOM’s unwillingness to act on key recommendations raises doubts about its commitment to credible and transparent elections.
“The COI presented a comprehensive report with recommendations aimed at fixing flaws in the electoral system and enhancing transparency, fairness, and efficiency,” the senior counsel argued. “It is deeply concerning that GECOM has not implemented a single one of these recommendations, nor has it provided any explanation for this inaction.”
A Call for Reform
“Guyana’s democracy is at a crossroads,” Forde asserted. “We cannot afford to proceed with a flawed system that compromises the legitimacy of our elections. The adoption of biometrics is not just a matter of security—it is a non-negotiable requirement for protecting our democratic future.”
To this end the senior counsel is urging GECOM to rethink its position and prioritise the adoption of biometric technology to safeguard electoral integrity. He said he cannot impressed enough on GECOM how important it is that “We must not go into another election cycle with a flawed system that compromises the credibility of our democracy.”
According to the parliamentarian, Guyana’s democracy deserves better and that the electoral process must be strengthened to ensure secure and legitimate elections. “The need for robust biometrics is not just a matter of security; it is a fundamental requirement for protecting the legitimacy of election results,” Forde asserted.
