GECOM admits “illegal” registration done, ID card destroyed, police called in

Last Updated on Thursday, 24 July 2025, 20:29 by Writer

The Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) on Thursday admitted that there was a now cured “discrepancy” in the voters list because the registration procedures were violated.

“Immediately upon being notified of the incorrectness, the GECOM Secretariat launched an internal investigation which 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, using the registration particulars of a genuine registrant/elector,” GECOM said in a statement.

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 was 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 said in a newspaper letter that the issue centered on the Amanza Walton-led Forward Guyana Movement’s discovery of the existence of an ID card that was issued by GECOM although 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 actually occur.”

“Evidence of fraudulent voting has been previously provided, covered up and ignored. Here is but another case of an unauthorized voter who cannot be detected by GECOM’s so-called robust system if the illegitimate holder of such a card turns up to vote,” Mr Alexander also said.

GECOM attributed the discovery to the system in place to allow stakeholders to check the accuracy of the revised voters roll.

Calling the find any “irregular registration transaction,” GECOM said that “regrettable existence” would be remedied within the 21-day period for the display of the Revised List of Electors.

GECOM also said the replacement ID card that was prepared is still in the Commission’s possession. “The Card will be destroyed.”

The electoral authority said 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 the standard operating procedures by registration staff throughout the system, and 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 said police were called in to investigate whether actions of the concerned registration officials amount to a criminal offence.

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 registrant who was affected, that had the established registration procedures been followed the incorrectness would not have occurred.

Insofar as the breach of procedures is concerned, the Commission says it is currently conducting an internal investigation to ensure that there is no recurrence.

Meanwhile, GECOM reminded all concerned that the Revised Voters List is still on public display for scrutiny and to check it to ensure that their particulars are accurate. The List is currently being displayed at two prominent locations in every registration division and sub-divisions as well as on GECOM’s website for public scrutiny until 29 July 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 says it is committed to a transparent registration process that adheres strictly to the legal provisions and one in which all registration transactions conducted are scrutinised by representatives of the parliamentary political parties.

Against this backdrop, the Commission reassures all stakeholders that there are robust mechanisms in place to guard against errors and remains committed to ensuring that its operations are transparent, credible, free and fair and upholds the tenets of integrity and democracy.