General and Regional Election 2025: Ballot papers, other sensitive materials being processed – GECOM Commissioner

…as political parties, international observers oversee GECOM preparations

With less than three weeks before Guyana heads to the polls for the 2025 General and Regional Elections, the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) has begun processing ballot papers and other sensitive materials under the watchful eyes of political parties and members of the European Union Election Observer Mission.
GECOM Commissioner Sase Gunraj confirmed that the process, which commenced this week, involves the sorting, packing, and verification of ballot papers, Statements of Poll (SOPs), and other critical election documents.
According to Gunraj, these items will be placed into ballot boxes for dispatch to polling stations ahead of election day.

“Elections are less than three weeks away. These materials have to be sorted, they have to be packed, they have to be verified, and all of that has to be put in ballot boxes and be prepared for dispatch to polling stations in advance of the actual polling day,” Gunraj informed.
The meticulous review of ballot papers and SOPs by GECOM stands as a cornerstone of Guyana’s democratic process, ensuring transparency, fairness, and public trust in election outcomes.
Ballot papers are more than mere pieces of paper; they are the physical embodiment of citizens’ right to choose their leaders. Their design, numbering, and security features guard against duplication, fraud, and tampering. A thorough examination of these papers before, during, and after polling ensures that every vote cast is authentic and accounted for. By scrutinising ballot papers, GECOM upholds the principle that each citizen’s vote carries equal weight, free from irregularities that could undermine the legitimacy of the results.
Equally critical are the SOPs, the official documents that capture the vote count at each polling station. SOPs form the first official record of how ballots were cast and tallied at the local level, serving as the basis for compiling regional and national results. Proper review of SOPs ensures that the numbers reported match the ballots counted, closing the door on discrepancies that could erode public confidence. In contentious or closely fought elections, these documents often become the decisive proof in resolving disputes.
Against this backdrop, Gunraj stressed the importance of starting the exercise early, noting that in just nine days, GECOM will conduct voting for joint services members.
“You’re also aware that in less than ten days – nine days to be exact – we have participant services voting, and as a consequence, preparations have to be made for that as well. And it is the selfsame material that will be utilised for that process,” he added.
While unable to provide an exact timeline for the verification process, Gunraj indicated that it is an ongoing, tightly scheduled exercise expected to last several days.
He emphasised that having political party representatives present enhances confidence in the electoral process, as it allows for collective oversight of how sensitive materials are handled.