As the General and Regional elections loom later this year, there is a significant push for the implementation of biometric voter registration and verification systems. The Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) has faced increasing criticism for its inaction in this regard. This latest uproar was triggered by a statement from GECOM Chairperson, retired Justice Claudette Singh, who declared that biometric systems would not be feasible for the upcoming elections. Following a meeting with the governing People’s Progressive Party (PPP), Singh revealed that while GECOM plans to hire a consultant to consider the potential for biometric fingerprint capture, such a system will not be ready for the 2025 elections. This announcement has incited widespread frustration among political and civil society groups, who have long argued for the integration of biometric technology to enhance the fairness and integrity of the electoral process.
AFC Leader Nigel Hughes has been one of the most vocal critics, condemning GECOM for its dysfunction and lack of preparedness. He accused the commission of being slow to act despite growing demands for biometric systems, expressing that the lack of prompt action has left the public feeling frustrated and disillusioned with the electoral process. Meanwhile, Opposition Leader Aubrey Norton took aim at GECOM Chair Singh, suggesting that she is acting as a biased arbiter rather than seeking consensus, raising concerns about her competence, integrity, and courage.
In response to GECOM’s perceived incompetence and indifference, the Joint Opposition—comprising the People’s National Congress Reform (PNCR), the Alliance For Change (AFC), and the Working People’s Alliance (WPA)—issued a statement in November 2024 demanding the implementation of biometric systems ahead of the elections. Adding to the pressure, Guyana Trades Union Congress (GTUC) General Secretary Lincoln Lewis has joined the call for action, highlighting GECOM’s legal obligation to communicate its readiness for elections to the president. He stressed that GECOM should not indicate readiness until biometric systems are established, reflecting public demand for reform.
Lewis urged GECOM Chair Claudette Singh and PPP General Secretary Bharrat Jagdeo to follow the example set by President Desmond Hoyte and Opposition Leader Cheddi Jagan in 1990, who prioritized the nation’s needs over political interests to advocate for electoral reforms. Businessman Dr. Terrence Campbell echoed these sentiments, urging GECOM to expedite the implementation of biometric systems for the elections. Dr. Henry Jeffrey, a former PPP minister and columnist, expressed disappointment that although GECOM recognizes the advantages of biometrics, including enhanced security and reduced electoral fraud, it claims it is too late to adopt such a system for the upcoming elections.
The PPP’s previous support for biometric systems has also been noted, with critics suggesting that the party’s historical gains from electoral fraud might explain its recent reluctance to embrace these reforms. In response to the ongoing concerns, opposition supporters staged a protest in front of GECOM’s headquarters, demanding a clean voter list and the introduction of biometric systems. The protestors, including various opposition leaders, voiced their worries over the current voter register, which reported 738,484 registered voters as of January 2025. With a national population of approximately 750,000, questions about the accuracy and reliability of the voter list have emerged, raising fears of possible voter fraud and manipulation.
Citizens and civil society organizations are increasingly frustrated with Singh’s delayed announcement. Many believe that GECOM’s lack of swift action has generated unnecessary uncertainty in the lead-up to the elections. Some advocates are calling for a postponement of the elections, if necessary, to allow for the full implementation of biometric systems. They point to successful international examples, such as Ghana’s biometric registration of 15 million voters completed in just six weeks, as evidence that such a transition is feasible.
As the election date approaches, Guyanese are becoming more vocal in their belief that a short delay could be a worthwhile sacrifice to ensure the integrity of the election process. The demand for biometric verification transcends mere voter list accuracy; it is fundamentally about restoring confidence in the electoral system and preventing the possibility of continued electoral malpractices. There are also concerns that without necessary electoral reforms, GECOM’s inaction could lead to social unrest post-elections—something that advocates for biometrics are keen to prevent.
As the elections draw closer, GECOM is under increasing pressure from opposition parties, unions, and the public to act decisively. The commission’s readiness for the upcoming elections is now under intense scrutiny, and time is running out for GECOM to implement essential reforms to guarantee that Guyana’s elections are conducted in a free, fair, and transparent manner.
