Opposition’s call for prisoners to vote poses national security risk – GECOM Commissioner warns

A recent push by opposition-nominated commissioners at the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) to allow prisoners to vote in the upcoming 2025 Regional and General Elections has sparked fierce backlash from GECOM Commissioner Clement Rohee, who says the proposal presents grave national security and public safety concerns.

Last week, a GECOM meeting ended with opposing views by the commissioners as a series of voting issues were discussed including the right of prisoners to vote.
While there are no laws disenfranchising persons who are incarcerated, there are also no legal provisions to facilitate prisoners, both convicted persons or those who are on remand, to vote. Opposition Commissioner, Vincent Alexander, contends that prisoners should be allowed to vote and GECOM should facilitate this.
However, the commissioners on the other side disagree.
Speaking during a recent broadcast on his show “Our Democracy”, Rohee revealed that opposition commissioners are now demanding that incarcerated persons across Guyana’s five prison locations be allowed to vote. He warned that the idea, while framed by the opposition as a constitutional matter, fails to consider the full legal and logistical consequences. In fact, he questioned the feasibility of political parties entering prison compounds to campaign, distribute paraphernalia, and hold political meetings.
“The opposition claims that by denying prisoners the right to vote that it is a violation of the constitutional right. But this is a one-sided argument since it does not take into consideration the rule of law whereby the courts of Guyana following its deliberate judgments either at a lower or higher court denied the freedom of movement of persons either incarcerated or on remand in order to restrict their movement of such persons unless because they may very well endanger the lives of law-abiding citizens thus disturbing the peace and good order in our society”.
“This is the demand that is fraught with serious implications for national security as well as the public safety and security of citizens of this country… The safety and security of citizens is of paramount importance and it remains a troubling concern of many Guyanese. My point is that nothing must be done to jeopardise the safety and security of the citizens of this country nor the country’s national security. Simply to accommodate the political opposition’s demand for prisoners to have the right to vote,” Rohee stressed.
Rohee took direct aim at opposition commissioner Vincent Alexander, criticising what he viewed as a sudden, politically convenient change of heart.
Additionally, raising logistical red flags, Rohee presented a barrage of questions about the real-world execution of the constitutional policy which governs right to vote, reminding that no such provisions were facilitated under the governance of Former President Forbes Burnham.
“Will each inmate be escorted individually? If so, by whom? Will they be free to roam after they would have voted till the close of poll, that is after six o’clock? Will their freedom on e-day be granted by the court, the director of prisons or the Ministry of Home Affairs? The question now is who will be held responsible if prisoners do not return to prison?”.
“The rule of law as far as he is concerned is of no consequence in this matter. The rule of law as far as Mr Alexander is concerned in this matter should be disregarded and prisoners should be granted an exception,” Rohee added.
The commissioner noted that implementing this proposal would likely require parliamentary intervention and legal reforms. Further, beyond legal challenges, Rohee warned of potential security compromises, including a significant depletion of both police and prison personnel required to escort and manage prisoners on Election Day. He emphasised that such a move would risk the integrity of the prison system and divert resources from securing polling places across the country.
Aside from the demand to facilitate prisons at polling stations, GECOM opposition-nominated commissioners have consistently disrupted statutory meetings by staging walkouts.

Sabotage
Last week, Commissioner on GECOM, Sase Gunraj, condemned the action, which he described as clear attempts to sabotage the electoral planning process.
In a move to prevent further gridlock, GECOM is set to enforce a three-commissioner quorum rule. Under current procedures, the quorum for statutory meetings requires the presence of the Chairperson and at least two commissioners from both the Government and opposition sides.
Nomination Day, withdrawals
Additionally, Nomination Day has already been announced for July 14, 2025, which will allow for the submission of Lists of Candidates for the upcoming General and Regional Elections. On the designated day, the Chief Election Officer (CEO) will be available to receive the Lists between the hours of 10:00h (10am) and 14:00h (2pm) at the Umana Yana, High Street, Kingston, Georgetown.
Several important deadlines accompany the submission of these lists. The following day, July 15, is reserved for notifying the CEO in writing of any death or withdrawal of a candidate. Also on this day, the CEO will inform representatives and their deputies of any defects found in submitted lists. By July 17, corrected lists must be submitted, and further notification of any withdrawals must also be made. On July 18th, GECOM will issue notifications regarding the approval or non-approval of the candidate lists. Parties dissatisfied with disapprovals may lodge appeals with the High Court by July 20th.
On July 21, representatives and their deputies must inform the CEO in writing of any joinder of lists. The entire process culminates on July 23 with the gazetting of the approved lists.
The notice was issued under the hand of GECOM Chairperson, Justice of Appeal (Ret’d) Claudette Singh, and dated June 2nd, 2025.
The 2025 General and Regional Elections is set for September 1.