GECOM Chairman proposes hiring expert on digital fingerprint capture

–again rules out digital fingerprint capture before 2025 general elections

Chairman of the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM), Retired Justice Claudette Singh proposes the hiring of a technical expert to advise the seven-member body on the introduction of digital fingerprint capture for registration, but only after the general and regional elections expected during the last quarter of this year.

“Any focus on preparations for the introduction of biometric fingerprint capture must be shelved until after the upcoming elections. At that stage, we can take the first step towards digital fingerprint capture,” she said in her latest position dated February 4 which was released by People’s Progressive Party Civic-nominated Election Commissioner, Clement Rohee on his Facebook page and later confirmed by Demerara Waves Online News.

Ms Singh did not, on this occasion, mention the use of digital fingerprints to verify voters at polling places. Previously, she ruled out the exclusive use of that as means of identifying electors at polling stations on the grounds that it would be unconstitutional.

Saying that such a process would be new for GECOM, Ms Singh said the consultant would be tasked with advising how that system could be introduced comprehensively to “ensure that we cover all of the bases.” “The Consultant would then be required, based on research and analysis, to prepare a project taking all variables into consideration including technological, legal, financial and operational frameworks. In my view, this is what should be our first step in the direction of introducing digital fingerprint capture during the registration process,” she said.

Against that backdrop, the GECOM Chairman said the commission would have to define the objectives and scope to create the Terms of Reference to advertise locally and overseas for Expressions of Interest, leading to the hiring of such a consultant.

When the GECOM Chairman first decided that biometrics would be impossible for the 2025 general and regional elections because of the many things that would have to be done, Opposition Leader Aubrey Norton had questioned her competence in arriving at that decision and had called for the recruitment of experts to advise the commission. The People’s National Congress Reform-led A Partnership for National Unity, Working People’s Alliance and the Alliance for Change have been pressing for biometrics and a clean voters list to ensure the results are credible by preventing multiple voting or voter impersonation.

Justice Singh reiterated that Section 9(1A) of the National Registration Act as amended by Act 14 of 2005 does not prohibit the introduction of a system where such fingerprints are taken digitally, since it is the Commission that is empowered to determine such procedures.

But apart from procurement of equipment, training of personnel and education of the public, she said there was still the need for the Commission to address other issues such as ensuring that there is adequate legislation pertaining to the security of prints. The Data Protection Act is yet to be operationalised by the Guyana government.

No digitalised fingerprinting before 2025 elections

In her latest position on this thorny issue, Ms Singh ruled out GECOM conceptualizing a project for digital fingerprint capture during voter registration simultaneously with preparations for the upcoming elections due to logistical challenges, technical considerations, political and social acceptance issues, together with the costs. Justice Singh argued that general and regional elections require extensive planning and coordination among various stakeholders. She said introducing a new technology like digital fingerprint capture during those preparations, will add another layer of complexity that could strain resources and personnel.

“Our foremost responsibility is to prepare for and conduct the upcoming general and regional elections with the strictest conformity with the extant laws and international standards. We must not be distracted from our constitutional responsibility with which the Commission is charged,” she said.

The GECOM Chairman further stated that the conduct of both projects simultaneously will introduce logistical complexities involved in managing two major initiatives at once. She believed that separating these two projects would facilitate more thorough planning, stakeholder engagement, procurement, and testing that will ultimately lead to a more secure and trustworthy data capture and storage process.