PSC, FITUG back GECOM’s decision to shelve biometric voting for 2025 polls

…express confidence in robustness of current voter verification system

Both the Private Sector Commission (PSC) and the Federation of Independent Trade Unions of Guyana (FITUG) have backed the decision by the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) to shelve the idea of using biometrics for the 2025 General and Regional Elections.
In the case of the PSC, which has been integrally involved in elections as an Accredited Observer and stakeholder, it made it clear that GECOM’s decisions must, at all times, comply with the Constitution of Guyana and ensure that no qualified voters are disenfranchised.
And having reviewed the views of GECOM Commissioners for and against biometrics, the PSC threw its support behind the decision not to use biometrics this year – a decision attributed to GECOM Chair, Retired Justice Claudette Singh.
“The Private Sector Commission is in support of the position taken by the Chair of GECOM. The Private Sector Commission wishes to point out that there is no constitutional nor legal requirement for the introduction of biometric fingerprinting identification at the place of poll. The Private Sector Commission wishes to point out that biometric fingerprinting is presently only legally required at the time of registration, because it is unnecessary,” the PSC said.
“This process is conducted with representatives from each political party present to verify voter identity and, on completion of the process, the scanned manual fingerprints are transformed into digital images and stored in a secured database, which is subsequently checked internationally for crossmatching to ensure against duplication.”
Further, the Commission emphasised that GECOM already has stringent systems in place to ensure voting on Election Day is secure and fair. For instance, photos and bio data for each voter is used at every polling station before each vote is cast. As such, the PSC expressed its confidence in the current biometric system already being used.
“It is impossible at each polling place for anyone to vote more than once, or for one individual to cast a vote on behalf of another, as each polling station is staffed by officials from the various contesting political parties, as well as with both local and international observers, who are present to ensure the accuracy and transparency of the voting process.
“At the close of polling, the votes are then transparently counted in front of each party official and then signed and certified by each party official. Each party official is equipped with a folio showing the picture and bio data of each voter for that polling station. If there is any doubt, the process is stopped, a verification process is conducted and only when everyone is satisfied, then the voting is allowed to continue,” the PSC further pointed out.

FITUG
While not as detailed as the PSC, FITUG put forward its own reasoning for why Justice Singh made the right call by shelving the idea of biometrics that was being agitated for by the Opposition.
“At the outset, we wish to state that we fully support the position taken by the Commission. With elections constitutionally due later this year, Guyana can ill afford any issue that can serve to obstruct or delay such an important pillar of our democracy from being executed in an effective and seamless manner,” FITUG explained.
“The most notable implication of the introduction of biometrics in the manner proposed is the requirement for citizens to present themselves to have their fingerprints captured digitally. The sheer magnitude of this undertaking, coupled with the associated tasks of procurement of equipment, training and nationwide rollout of the process creates undue uncertainty at such a critical time.”
The Union went on to urge GECOM to engage in its constitutional responsibilities, with the aim to effectively prepare the Commission for whenever the General and Regional Elections, constitutionally due this year, are called.
It was revealed recently that Justice Singh, in a ruling at the Commission, rejected the proposal for biometric voting systems to be implemented for the upcoming elections. In reaching her decision, she had highlighted that such a large-scale undertaking is impractical in the short time before elections are expected to be held.
GECOM, currently, has its hands full with its Claims and Objections exercise, with January 25, 2025, set as the day by which all forms of claims, objections, applications and decisions will be sent by the registration officers to the Commissioner of Registration.
Chief Elections Officer (CEO) Vishnu Persaud will then begin hearing and determining appeals the very next day. Additionally, any changes to the preliminary list of electors will be made by February 2, 2025. (G3)