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Georgetown, Guyana — GECOM Commissioner Vincent Alexander recently voiced concern over the Guyana Elections Commission’s (GECOM) response to issues arising from the 2020 election, questioning why a comprehensive review has not been conducted to address reported flaws. Alexander, in a letter to the local press, highlighted what he considers serious oversights within GECOM’s systems, including unresolved concerns about voter impersonation and a “bloated” voter list.
Alexander’s remarks follow ongoing calls for greater transparency and accountability within the electoral body. “The evidence from the 2020 elections shows ballots cast for individuals who did not appear in person, demonstrating flaws in GECOM’s existing systems,” Alexander said. Contrary to claims that sufficient safeguards are already in place, Alexander contends that GECOM has not presented any evidence of a post-election audit or review to determine how these issues occurred.
One of Alexander’s main points of contention is the lack of a clear mechanism to remove deceased overseas residents from the voter list, a problem he argues contributes to the perception of an inflated registry. He noted that, based on 2020 election evidence, some names of overseas residents were indeed used in acts of impersonation. “GECOM currently lacks a mechanism to remove deceased overseas residents from the list, reinforcing the claim of a ‘bloated’ list,” Alexander stated, underscoring how this gap may undermine public confidence in the integrity of Guyana’s electoral process.
In response to the 2020 election, observer missions from groups such as The Carter Center, the European Union, CARICOM, and the Commonwealth made a range of recommendations to improve transparency and inclusivity in Guyana’s elections. Key recommendations include reforming GECOM’s structure to reduce politicization, consolidating electoral laws for clarity, and establishing clear written procedures for result transmission and tabulation. Observers also urged that GECOM publish all key decisions and regulatory instructions, allow citizen observers unhindered access, and implement legislation for transparent political finance.
While observers have pointed out multiple areas for improvement, Alexander’s recent remarks focus on voter impersonation, the need for biometrics, and the lack of follow-up action on the 2020 election’s irregularities. His comments add further urgency to calls for GECOM to adopt reforms and ensure that the voter list is both accurate and trustworthy.
