The Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) has announced a comprehensive set of measures to prohibit the use of cell phones within polling stations during the September 1, 2025 General and Regional Elections. The policy aims to ensure the secrecy of the ballots and prevent potential vote-selling linked to photographing ballots. In a release on Tuesday evening, GECOM said that the prohibition, grounded in the Representation of the People Act, Cap. 1:03, includes strict enforcement measures to ensure that voters can cast their ballots freely and confidentially.
The A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) had called earlier this month on GECOM to ban electors from taking cell phones into polling booths during the upcoming General and Regional Elections, in order to preserve the secrecy of the ballot and prevent vote buying.
Under the new rules, notices will be prominently displayed at the entrance and inside every polling station, warning that cell phones are prohibited; polling officials will regularly remind voters in the queue to turn off their phones before entering; every voter will be reminded to turn off their phone before receiving their ballot; voters’ national ID cards, passports, or driver’s licences will be retained by the presiding officer until after the vote is cast; voting compartments will be arranged to allow officials and accredited party agents to monitor for attempts to photograph ballots, while maintaining voter privacy; any attempt to photograph a ballot will be formally recorded, and incidents will be reported to the Guyana Police Force (GPF) for investigation, and designated desks or tables will be placed next to voting compartments for voters to place their phones before voting. Officials will ensure the instruction is applied consistently.
GECOM, in its statement, emphasised that these measures align with international best practices for election administration and reflect a commitment to preventing electoral fraud. Vote-selling carries serious penalties under the law, GECOM reminded, adding that individuals found guilty may face a fine of $65,000 – and six months’ imprisonment.
The Commission urged voters to cooperate with the new measures, stressing that they are essential to maintaining the integrity and transparency of the electoral process. GECOM reaffirmed its commitment to free and fair elections and to prosecuting attempts to undermine the democratic process.
