Democracy on Trial: Lewis Calls Out Ali, Norton, and GECOM on Election Crisis

In his latest Eye on Guyana column, Guyana Trades Union Congress (GTUC) General Secretary Lincoln Lewis has raised serious concerns about the upcoming September 1, 2025 elections, declaring that President Irfaan Ali’s announcement is “not about democracy—it’s about deception.”

The veteran trade unionist minced no words in condemning the planned elections, citing the outdated, bloated voters list, the absence of biometric verification, and lack of electoral reform as evidence that the country is not ready for free, fair, and credible elections.

“President Ali, Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) Chair ret’d Justice Claudette Singh, and Opposition Leader Aubrey Norton are all acutely aware of this truth.

Yet, despite the glaring deficiencies… they are pressing forward. This is not just careless. It is contemptuous. It is dangerous. And it must not be allowed.”

Empty Promises, No Action

Lewis referenced a March 12, 2025 meeting between GTUC, GECOM Chair Claudette Singh, and Chief Elections Officer Vishnu Persaud, where the Commission reportedly promised to update a proposal for reform and submit it for government funding. To date, Lewis says, “Months have passed. No action. No urgency. No respect for the people of this country.”

He also pushed back against any claims that the state lacks the funds to implement meaningful reform.

“If the government can find $57.5 billion in a supplemental budget less than four months after passing a $1.38 trillion budget, then it can damn well find $4.1 billion (US$20 million) to protect the integrity of our elections.”

Lewis cited Ghana’s successful rollout of biometric registration for 15 million voters in six weeks as proof that Guyana’s under-one-million electorate could be similarly accounted for—if only the political will existed.

“This country does not suffer from a shortage of money, but from a shortage of leaders prepared to put the national interest above personal or partisan agendas.”

Democracy Undermined

The veteran trade unionist stressed that calls for electoral reform are not unreasonable demands but are essential to safeguarding democracy. He pointedly reminded the nation:

“Let me be very clear: demanding electoral reform is not asking too much. It is consistent with our fundamental right to vote, and to have that vote respected in a legal, credible, and transparent process… Anything less is not democracy; it is manipulation.”

Lewis lamented the disregard shown to the working class, who historically fought for “one-man-one-vote” and who continue to suffer most when the system fails.

“The political class will hide behind security, but the ordinary man and woman. The vendors, the drivers, the nurses, bauxite workers, teachers…are the ones who suffer. This must not happen again.”

Diplomatic Silence and Historical Amnesia

Lewis also turned his attention to the diplomatic community, accusing international actors of complicit silence.

“Too many are silent, complicit, or worse, enabling this charade. They once did the same under apartheid. They turned a blind eye to Gaza. And now they pretend not to see what’s going on in Guyana. But we see. And we remember.”

Three Non-Negotiables

Lewis ended his column with a firm call to action, laying out three urgent demands:

1. A clean, credible voters list
2. Biometric voter verification
3. Total reform of GECOM

“Every party—PPP, PNC, AFC—has called for these before. Don’t come now and pretend otherwise. It can’t be right in opposition and wrong in government. These political parties must stand on principle or step aside.”

Citing the example of President Desmond Hoyte, who in 1990 took bold steps to enable electoral reform, Lewis urged today’s leaders to act similarly in the national interest.

“The erosion of our democratic foundation must come to an end… We cannot remain silent while our democracy is being dismantled before our eyes. And the time to act is now, not tomorrow. Now!”