PSC, GECOM discuss electoral integrity, registration ahead of 2025 elections

The Private Sector Commission (PSC) recently engaged the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) on a number of issues ahead of the 2025 General and Regional Elections.
The meeting was held last Friday and saw PSC Executives being briefed by GECOM Chair, Retired Justice Claudette Singh and Chief Elections Officer Vishnu Persaud, on preparations for the upcoming polls slated for late next year.
On Wednesday, the Private Sector body said, “The discussions reaffirmed GECOM’s commitment to ensuring free, fair, and transparent elections while highlighting key issues that shape Guyana’s electoral system. The meeting addressed matters related to electoral integrity, legislative amendments, continuous registration, and the voting process.”
According to the PSC, which had been one of the local observers during the 2020 election fiasco and had been vocal against the blatant rigging attempts, it is confident that GECOM’s systems are robust and dedicated to upholding the integrity and credibility of Guyana’s electoral process.
In fact, the Private Sector body in a statement said it was particularly satisfied that the process governing the National Register of Registrants with regard to any amendments to the List is being satisfactorily administered by GECOM.
The PSC further lauded the GECOM officials for their cooperation, and for reaffirming the electoral body’s role in fostering a democratic process that reflects the will of all Guyanese.
“The PSC remains committed to supporting efforts to improve Guyana’s electoral system. As a key stakeholder, the PSC advocates for measures that foster inclusivity, transparency, and accountability,” the missive detailed.
Moreover, the PSC encourages continuous dialogue among political parties, civil society, and GECOM to ensure that any proposed changes are thoroughly evaluated and implemented in alignment with constitutional provisions.
After the 2020 polls, the next General and Regional Elections are constitutionally due in 2025. Already, the GECOM Secretariat, though it has not been mandated by the seven-member Elections Commission to prepare for the polls, has taken it upon itself to start preparations to ensure it is in a state of readiness.
During a press conference last month, Chief Elections Officer Persaud explained the type of preparations the Secretariat has begun.
“At this time, the Secretariat has not been mandated by the Commission to formally engage in preparations for elections. That notwithstanding, we are aware of our responsibility as it relates to ensuring we are prepared and ready for the conduct of elections.
“I do not see such preparations posing any difficulties for us at the Secretariat, since the procedures have not changed. However, there are some prerequisites which do not require direction from the Commission,” Persaud said.
For instance, GECOM has been reviewing the training manuals that will guide its officers in the conduct of the election. These training manuals, which are expected to be made public, came into force after the many controversies that accompanied the 2020 General and Regional Elections.
“Training per se does not form a part of the electoral cycle which usually spans about six months. So, in that regard, we are currently reviewing the manuals for, in the first instance, presiding officers and polling day staff. We have completed the first manual.
“And in the second instance, we are looking at the manual for returning officers and other management staff like the clerks and the deputy returning officers. That exercise is likely to be completed by the end of (this) week,” Persaud explained.
Following this, the CEO noted that GECOM’s focus will move on to identifying persons to be trained to work for GECOM in the elections. This will start with the training of the trainers.
Meanwhile, GECOM has also engaged representatives from the United States, United Kingdom, Canada and the European Union regarding sending observer missions to Guyana for next year’s polls.
Last month, the ABCE diplomatic missions in Guyana – America, Britain, Canada and the European Union – had also engaged GECOM on support for the upcoming polls, which are likely to be held in November 2025.
Even as it starts elections preparations, the seven-member Commission is currently engaged in critical discussions regarding key political issues for the upcoming polls. These include the introduction of biometrics – which the Opposition has been pushing for.
GECOM recently conducted a feasibility study on the use of biometrics at the polls, but discussion by the Commission is at a stalemate on how to proceed on the matter, the Chairwoman had indicated to reporters at last month’s press conference.(G8)