The Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) has decided against implementing a biometric voting system for the 2025 general and regional elections, citing feasibility concerns. GECOM Chairman, retired Justice Claudette Singh, announced the decision following months of debate and a detailed feasibility study, which estimated the cost of the required equipment at approximately $20 million.
Justice Singh emphasized that mandating biometric voting as the sole method of voter identification would be unconstitutional. She explained that such a system would impose additional burdens on voters that go beyond the requirements outlined in the Constitution. “With less than a year to go before these Elections, and given the number of tasks that would need to be done… I am convinced this is not feasible within the time presently available,” she stated.
The announcement follows calls from the Opposition People’s National Congress for GECOM to accelerate the implementation of biometric voter authentication. While current laws permit electronic fingerprint capture for registration and voting, Justice Singh clarified that transitioning to a fully biometric system would involve significant challenges, including legislative amendments and logistical hurdles.
Introducing a biometric voting system would require several preparatory steps, such as stakeholder consultations, equipment procurement, personnel training, public education campaigns, and addressing fingerprint security concerns. Under Section 9 (1A) of the National Registration Act, GECOM is authorized to establish procedures for electronic data processing, but any mandatory biometric system would necessitate additional legislation.
Justice Singh suggested that GECOM could consider biometric tools as a supplementary form of identification in the future, stating that the Commission has the authority to move from manual to digital fingerprint capture under current law. This opens the door for gradual implementation in subsequent elections.
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Mark Phillips provided an update on the 2023 Data Protection Act, stating that the government is working to establish the necessary infrastructure and organizational structure for the Act’s oversight body. He assured us that the Act would offer crucial privacy protections for future biometric data collection and would be operationalized “very soon.”
As Guyana prepares for the October or November 2025 elections, GECOM will continue to rely on its existing systems to ensure a transparent and constitutionally compliant electoral process.
“It’s a storm in a teacup created by APNU and AFC to distract the people of this country from their sordid track record of stealing elections,” Jagdeo emphasized.
He further pointed out that the Opposition appears determined to act in ways that could disenfranchise eligible voters.
“The intent is to prevent people from voting … say you show up at the polling place, you have a blackout, and you can’t use your fingerprint, or there is some glitch in the system [and] then you lose the right to vote…,” he informed reporters.
Additionally, Dr Jagdeo expressed concern that implementing additional biometric requirements for voter verification could provide the Opposition with grounds to challenge election results by declaring such requirements unconstitutional. He noted that this aligns with their historical tactics of undermining elections.
Ralph Ramkarran, a prominent attorney-at-law and political figure, has voiced strong objections to the opposition’s recent call to introduce biometric voting technology in Guyana’s elections.
Over the weekend, Ramkarran criticized the People’s National Congress/Reform’s (PNC/R) push for electronic fingerprint identification, suggesting that the demand is rooted more in political motives than genuine electoral concerns.
Three opposition representatives on the Elections Commission advocated biometric identification following long-standing allegations of electoral fraud. However, Ramkarran warned that new accusations would inevitably arise even with adopting biometric technology.
“This long-standing demand by the opposition picked up speed after the 2020 elections when the opposition, in deflective maneuvers, incredulously accused the PPP of rigging.
“As an aside, we should understand that if and when fingerprint technology is implemented, reasons will then be found to continue to allege that the PPP is rigging the elections.
“Demands will then emerge for retina identification technology. These demands for additional measures, including applicable AI technology, will continue indefinitely into the future, as long as the PPP wins elections.”
The PNC and AFC must acknowledge their long history of electoral rigging and manipulation, which dates back to the Burnham era. These parties now propose introducing biometric measures in elections, a tactic that appears to be calculated to undermine the PPP. This strategy is transparent to Guyanese citizens at home and abroad, who are aware of the political games being played by Nigel Hughes and Aubrey Norton.
Guyana’s voter population stands at 718,715, yet the PNC and AFC continue to sow doubt and confusion about the electoral process, even as they realize they cannot win a free and fair election. Their actions betray desperation, particularly as the Afro-Guyanese demographic remains a minority of voters in the country. The entire world is watching their maneuvers, and any attempts at dictatorial control will be firmly resisted.
A closer look at their leadership exposes glaring issues. Aubrey Norton and Nigel Hughes suffer from a lack of effective leadership, which is reflected in the parties they lead. The AFC lacks a significant voter base across Guyana’s 10 regions and seems to rely on poaching minority Afro-Guyanese voters from the PNC to remain relevant. This opportunistic behavior raises questions about why Norton tolerates Hughes, whose party has become little more than a political hanger-on. Their disorganized strategies and internal divisions underscore their inability to offer meaningful leadership to the people of Guyana.
Norton must ask Hughes only one question: Show him proof of his diehard AFC voters in the country. The AFC does not have lifelong supporters like PPP and PNC. Hughes must come forward and tell the country about his AFC vote bank. Our research has confirmed that the AFC has fewer than 2000 voters in the entire country.
Guyanese voters must remain vigilant and vote wisely to ensure progress and democracy prevail. Election riggers are still active in Guyana. The geriatric Hamilton Green has stated that the PNC must rig elections to keep the Indo-Guyanese “bastards” out of power.