2025 Regional and General Elections: GECOM approves modified nomination form to curb misuse, ensure accuracy

In a move aimed at enhancing transparency and preventing electoral fraud, the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) has approved a modified version of the Nomination Form that political parties must submit with their Lists of Candidates for the 2025 General and Regional Elections. A release from GECOM stated that the revised form, proposed by Chief Elections Officer (CEO) Vishnu Persaud, is designed to ensure accuracy and safeguard against misuse, especially in light of controversies surrounding the nomination process during recent elections.
The decision was announced just one day after Vice President Dr Bharrat Jagdeo publicly called on GECOM to take firm and impartial action against any political party found fraudulently inflating candidate lists or intimidating citizens to suppress political participation. Speaking at his weekly press conference, Jagdeo raised alarm over what he described as repeated instances, primarily involving opposition-aligned parties, of persons being misled into signing nomination forms without their informed consent.
Jagdeo referenced both a 2018 investigation into alleged fraudulent practices by the Alliance for Change (AFC) and more recent claims from the 2023 Local Government Elections, where individuals alleged they were deceived into signing nomination lists under the pretence of community improvement petitions. He urged GECOM to take “strong action against those who are doing this fraudulently”, asserting that such behaviour undermines public trust in the electoral process.
In response to these concerns and the pattern of complaints, GECOM has implemented key changes to the nomination form. The updated version now carries explicit language on every page to ensure nominators are knowingly and willingly participating. The header reads:
“We, the undersigned, knowingly and willingly provide our particulars and append our signatures as Nominators for the National Top-up/Geographic Constituency/Regional Democratic List of Candidates for the Party.”
According to GECOM, this addition is vital to ensuring clarity and accountability. The Commission noted that during the 2023 Local Government Elections, numerous nominators claimed they did not understand the purpose of the documents they were signing. These incidents delayed the processing of Lists of Candidates and caused considerable public controversy.
GECOM is urging all political parties and contestants to use the modified form as part of their preparations for Nomination Day, which has been officially set for July 14. On that day, the Chief Election Officer will accept submissions at the Umana Yana, Kingston, Georgetown, from 10:00h to 14:00h.
The timeline for related activities includes: July 15: Notification of any death or withdrawal of candidates and feedback on defects in the lists; July 17: Submission of corrected lists and further withdrawals; July 18: Issuance of approval or rejection notices by GECOM; July 20: Deadline for appeals to the High Court; July 21: Deadline for notifications of joinder of lists; and July 23: Publication (gazetting) of the approved Lists of Candidates.
The electoral body has emphasised that using the updated form is crucial for avoiding disputes and ensuring that all lists are processed efficiently within the tight statutory timeline.