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What You Need To Know: The accuracy of Guyana’s population data and its connection to the electoral roll resurfaced during an October 2024 discussion on Nation Watch, with GECOM Commissioner Vincent Alexander highlighting discrepancies between the electoral roll and census data. Alexander raised concerns that the electoral roll, listing over 718,000 eligible voters, exceeds Guyana’s population of around 700,000, potentially due to outdated information, including overseas deaths not being recorded. He called for greater transparency and scrutiny of both the census and electoral roll, especially as the 2025 elections approach. The debate is fueled by delays in releasing the full 2022 Census report, with the Bureau of Statistics attributing the delays to operational challenges, not political interference. Alexander also expressed unease over government officials suggesting population numbers before the official report, warning of potential manipulation. As public debate grows, calls for biometric voting systems and electoral reforms are expected to intensify in the lead-up to the elections.
The Long Read:
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The ongoing debate over the accuracy of Guyana’s population data and its connection to the country’s electoral roll resurfaced during a discussion on Nation Watch, hosted by Mervyn Williams, on October 20, 2024. The program featured Vincent Alexander, a Commissioner from the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM), who raised concerns about discrepancies between the electoral roll and population census, calling for greater scrutiny and transparency in both processes.
Alexander highlighted the distinction between the National Register of Registrants, which includes all Guyanese over the age of 14, and the voters’ list, which is derived from the register and includes only eligible voters. “The census focuses on persons resident at the time of the conduct of the census. The electoral roll, however, covers all citizens, whether they are here or not,” Alexander explained. He further added that this can lead to an inflated voter list due to the inclusion of overseas Guyanese, many of whom may have passed away. “The problem is that whilst we have a process for the internal deletion of the known dead from the list, there’s no process for the deletion of those who die overseas,” Alexander noted, emphasizing that these names remain on the electoral roll, contributing to its size.
The census versus electoral roll debate is particularly relevant as Guyana prepares for its 2025 elections. Alexander questioned why, with a population of approximately 700,000 according to census data, the electoral roll lists over 718,000 eligible voters. “How is it your electoral roll is exceeding your population?” Alexander asked, suggesting that a significant number of names on the list may be outdated or inaccurate.
Concerns over data accuracy have been exacerbated by delays in the publication of the 2022 Population and Housing Census report, which has yet to be fully released. The Bureau of Statistics addressed these delays in a statement on October 15, 2024, noting that political interference is not the cause. “The delay in the publication of the 2022 Population and Housing Census results is strictly a consequence of our unwavering commitment to professional diligence in the face of considerable challenges encountered during this census round,” the Bureau stated. It cited the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic as a major factor, similar to delays seen in other Caribbean countries, such as Jamaica and Barbados.
The Bureau also refuted claims of population decline, stating, “Claims that the 2022 Population & Housing Census in Guyana shows that Guyana’s population declined from 746,955 in the 2012 census due to migration are unfounded and erroneous.” The agency assured the public that a preliminary report would be available soon, encouraging citizens to rely on official data rather than speculating.
However, Alexander expressed unease over figures offered by government officials before the Bureau’s official report, calling them “concerning.” He pointed to remarks made by Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo, who speculated that Guyana’s population was around 800,000. “Here’s a member of the executive proffering numbers as if he has inside information… a whole range of things can go wrong or can be manipulated using those numbers,” Alexander warned.
This issue is not just academic but has practical implications for voter registration and resource allocation. According to Alexander, the absence of a clear definition of “household” also complicates matters. “I don’t think we have in this country defined what a household is,” he said, noting that this lack of clarity can lead to confusion in determining household counts and distributions, especially in government programs.
As the public awaits the official census results, the need for a more transparent and reliable data collection and verification process is becoming a major issue in the lead-up to the 2025 elections. The calls for biometric systems and the ongoing debate over the integrity of the voters’ list are expected to dominate political discourse in the coming months.
In the meantime, the Bureau of Statistics remains committed to releasing the census report, assuring that “the soon-to-be-released Preliminary Report of the Census will provide an evidence-based exposition of Guyana’s population.” Nonetheless, the concerns raised by Alexander and others reflect broader anxieties about the accuracy and reliability of the country’s electoral systems, and the need for reforms to ensure that the electoral process remains fair and transparent.
