No evidence of fraud in 2025 elections – PSC

…hails 2025 elections as free and fair

The Private Sector Commission (PSC) has firmly rejected all claims of fraud in Guyana’s 2025 General and Regional Elections, even as the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) carries out recounts in Regions Four and Five.
At a press conference on Thursday, Executive Committee Member Kit Nascimento declared, “If anybody in or outside of this country makes any accusations that this election is fraudulent, they are absolutely wrong, and there will be absolutely no evidence to substantiate such a claim.”
Meanwhile, PSC Chairman Captain Gerald Gouveia Jr stressed that from the PSC’s observations, “the declaration of results from GECOM is beyond challenge”, adding that the commission was “fully confident in GECOM’s execution of both the electoral process and the recount, and we commend them for conducting it in a free, fair, transparent, and efficient manner.”
The comments came as GECOM approved and began recounting ballots in two key electoral districts following requests from the opposition, A Partnership for National Unity (APNU).
In Region Four (Demerara-Mahaica), the country’s largest district, 391 ballot boxes are being recounted for Subdistrict Four.
By Thursday evening, more than 100 had already been processed, with GECOM officials indicating that the exercise will likely continue into the weekend. In Region Five (Mahaica-Berbice), a similar request was granted, with 77 boxes included in the recount. GECOM has reported no significant changes to vote totals.
Captain Gouveia Jr said the PSC was satisfied that the recounts were being handled with professionalism. “We commend the readiness and professionalism of GECOM and the police in facilitating it, keeping the process flowing and safe,” he noted.
While some political actors may be uneasy with the idea of recounts, he stressed that they remain “part of our democratic process. We may not like it or agree with it, but that is democracy, and we are all in support of the democratic process.”
The PSC emphasised that its observer mission was one of the largest and most inclusive in the country’s history.
“The Private Sector Commission’s observer mission is comprised of all of our memberships, which include all of the regional chambers from across all 10 regions, including the Georgetown Chamber of Commerce and Industry. It includes all of the sectoral business support organisations, as well as a lot of the large enterprises in Guyana,” Gouveia Jr explained. He said this provided “a very wide range and widespread network of people that can participate in our election observer mission.”
Observers were deployed across the country, including in Regions Three (Essequibo Islands-West Demerara), Four (Demerara-Mahaica), Five (Mahaica-Berbice), Six (East Berbice-Corentyne), Nine (Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo), and 10 (Upper Demerara-Berbice), where they monitored the voting process, the counting, and the preparation of the statements of poll.
“Across the 2790 polling stations, there were observable dedication, professionalism, patience, and understanding from the GECOM staff, and we commend the competence and dedication demonstrated by all of them,” Gouveia Jr said.
He also pointed out that while some party agents raised claims during the recount, “it is our observation that these have been addressed efficiently and properly by GECOM.”
Reflecting on the progress made since Guyana’s controversial 2020 elections, Nascimento reminded reporters that, “It was five years ago when I sat in exactly the same chair I’m sitting in now, alongside Captain Gouveia’s father, but we reported a very different situation. It was the first press conference that the Private Sector ever had at those elections. And we came here to report that we were seeing an election that was being rigged. That was five years ago. On this occasion … we have seen an election which had been professionally held. We’ve seen the planning of this election and the administration of it, and we have seen no evidence whatsoever of anything but a professional election being conducted.”
While commending the process, the PSC acknowledged that there were still areas in need of attention.
“One of the things that we are asking GECOM to significantly improve is ensuring better access and accommodations for differently abled people,” Nascimento said. He also called for better signage leading voters from the street to the polling booth, especially in large facilities where confusion was observed, and for improved conditions inside polling stations, including better furniture, ventilation, and climate control for staff and voters who spend long hours in those environments.
Despite those recommendations, the PSC concluded that the 2025 elections represented one of the smoothest processes in the nation’s history.
“The Private Sector Commission commends all Guyanese for what has been one of the most, if not the most, efficient and peaceful elections our nation has ever experienced,” Gouveia said.
He thanked party agents for their professionalism, observers for their long hours, and the electorate for its patience, maturity, and respect for the democratic process. “Together, we have shown the world that democracy in Guyana is strong and secure,” he said, adding, “We have full confidence in GECOM to continue the recount and take the electoral process all the way to the declaration of the new President.”