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Georgetown, Guyana — Concerns voiced by key PPP leaders over potential challenges in implementing electoral reforms may delay substantive changes ahead of the 2025 general elections. Attorney General Anil Nandlall and Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo recently cited logistical concerns over adopting new measures, including biometric verification at polling stations and a potential national referendum on key governance issues, as part of efforts to prevent voter confusion and ensure smooth election operations.
Attorney General Nandlall has specifically raised concerns that implementing a biometric system for voter verification could cause disruptions, citing a fear that “blackouts” could interfere with the technology’s functionality. These blackouts, he argued, could “shut down” essential voter verification processes, possibly leading to confusion or procedural setbacks on election day. Nandlall’s emphasis on the reliability of current election processes underscores the administration’s hesitation to adopt electronic measures that might be vulnerable to infrastructure limitations.
Vice President Jagdeo has likewise expressed reservations about changes he believes could complicate the voting process, particularly a proposed referendum on issues such as renegotiating oil and gas contracts. Jagdeo recently stated that a referendum alongside the 2025 ballot “would complicate the voting process,” suggesting that parties should instead include their policy stances within their campaign manifestos. “Political parties are the people of this country can choose. They’re smart enough to choose at the next election a political party that has a plan,” Jagdeo noted, emphasizing a streamlined approach to voter decision-making in the next election cycle.
These statements come amid repeated calls for reforms from other political figures and election officials who argue that changes to the electoral process are necessary to enhance transparency and rebuild trust in the electoral system. In a recent public letter, three opposition-nominated GECOM Commissioners—Desmond Trotman, Charles Corbin, and Vincent Alexander—expressed deep concerns about the PPP’s perceived influence over GECOM operations and criticized what they described as “politicized hiring practices.” They warned that without reforms, GECOM’s structure would continue to undermine impartiality and public trust in the electoral process. “All of the reports called for the reform of GECOM,” the commissioners stated, adding that the current staffing and procedural issues at GECOM validate the calls made by international observer missions to establish a “professional and impartial commission.”
The commissioners’ letter adds to growing pressure for election reforms, as they emphasized that Guyana’s election body has been frequently criticized by international election observers. Key observer groups, including the Carter Center, the EU, and CARICOM, have issued recommendations for GECOM to streamline its organizational structure and employ a transparent, professional hiring process, particularly for senior roles.
The PPP government has yet to signal definitive support for any of these proposed changes. With Nandlall’s concerns over infrastructural reliability and Jagdeo’s caution about complicating the election process, the likelihood of implementing biometric voter verification or conducting a referendum before the 2025 elections remains uncertain. As public debate over electoral transparency continues, the differing views reflect a key divide in Guyana’s political landscape over how best to ensure the integrity of future elections.
