KINGSTON, Jamaica, The Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) acknowledged on Thursday that a previously resolved “discrepancy” in the voters’ List had occurred due to breaches in registration procedures.
In a statement, the GECOM Secretariat said that once notified, an internal investigation was launched.
It was soon revealed that the occurrence was due to non-compliance with established procedures at the level of the concerned registration offices, which involved accepting applications for a replacement ID Card and change of address by a random person.
GECOM indicated that the “unlawful” transaction has been cancelled.
“Having recognized by way of internal queries that the registration records of a legitimate registrant/elector were altered without his involvement, the Chief Election Officer instructed that the unlawful transactions be reversed,” the electoral management body said.
Opposition-nominated Election Commissioner Vincent Alexander stated in a letter that the issue centered on the Amanza Walton-led Forward Guyana Movement’s discovery of an ID card issued by GECOM. However, the holder is not a bona fide registrant.
He said that “clearly exposes the corruption of GECOM’s system and the threat to free, fair and transparent elections. This is but one scenario of how fraudulent voting can occur.”
“Evidence of fraudulent voting has been previously provided, covered up, and ignored. Here is but another case of an unauthorized voter whom GECOM’s so-called robust system cannot detect if the illegitimate holder of such a card turns up to vote,” Alexander also said.
GECOM attributed the discovery to the system in place that allows stakeholders to check the accuracy of the revised voter roll.
Calling the finding of any “irregular registration transaction,” GECOM said that “the regrettable existence” would be remedied within 21 days for the display of the Revised List of Electors.
GECOM also stated that the replacement ID card prepared is still in the Commission’s possession. “The Card will be destroyed.”
The electoral authority stated that an in-person discussion was held with the concerned registration officials, as a result of which it was determined that there was a breach of standard operating procedures by registration staff throughout the system. The staff who interacted with the person who visited the office to make the applications could not provide logical explanations for his actions in the matter.
Consequently, GECOM stated that police were called in to investigate whether the actions of the concerned registration officials constituted a criminal offense.
GECOM acknowledged that two erroneous transactions were conducted at one of its registration offices and, at the same time, sought to assure all stakeholders, especially the bona fide registrants who were affected, that had the established registration procedures been followed, the incorrectness would not have occurred.
Regarding the breach of procedures, the Commission states that it is currently conducting an internal investigation to prevent any recurrence.
Meanwhile, GECOM reminded all concerned that the Revised Voters’ List remains on public display for scrutiny, and they should review it to ensure their particulars are accurate. The List is currently displayed at two prominent locations in every registration division and subdivision, as well as on GECOM’s website, for public scrutiny until July 29, 2025.
Should there be the discovery of any concern, a report must be made forthwith to the respective registration office, the electoral authority said.
GECOM states that it is committed to a transparent registration process that adheres strictly to the legal provisions and one in which representatives of the parliamentary political parties scrutinize all registration transactions.
Against this backdrop, the Commission reassures all stakeholders that robust mechanisms are in place to guard against errors and remains committed to ensuring that its operations are transparent, credible, free, and fair, upholding the tenets of integrity and democracy.
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