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Georgetown, Guyana — GECOM Commissioner Vincent Alexander has voiced concern over the People’s Progressive Party’s (PPP) shift on the use of biometric technology in elections, which he says could directly address serious allegations of voter impersonation in the 2020 elections. Alexander noted that the biometric system, originally supported by the PPP while out of office, is now facing resistance from Attorney General Anil Nandlall despite compelling evidence that reform is urgently needed.
Chief Election Officer Keith Lowenfield’s reports on the 2020 election documented thousands of alleged voter impersonation cases. Observations from electoral districts found numerous instances where individuals who were deceased or out of the country were marked as having cast a vote. According to the reports, there were alleged impersonation cases in nearly every district, with some of the highest counts in District 4, where 1,706 cases were recorded—1,690 of which involved electors reportedly outside the jurisdiction on election day. Other districts reported significant numbers as well, including District 6 with 1,128 instances, and District 3 with 977. These cases have underscored calls from election officials and stakeholders for the implementation of biometric voter identification to prevent such occurrences.
Alexander emphasized that in 2015, then-opposition leader Bharrat Jagdeo advocated for biometric voter identification to address issues like voter impersonation. Jagdeo stated, “We need enhanced biometrics… it could minimize [issues with impersonation],” pointing to concerns about polling stations where presiding officers might permit unverified voters. In the past, Jagdeo proposed an advanced system where biometric identification could enhance election security by preventing unauthorized access to ballots. However, now in office, the PPP’s stance appears to have changed, with Nandlall recently dismissing the need for such reforms.
On his program Issues in the News, Nandlall argued that biometric systems are vulnerable to technical issues, particularly in a developing country like Guyana. He raised concerns about the potential for machine malfunctions, saying, “Are you telling me that if… the machine malfunctions, you’re telling me that I will be denied my right to vote?” Nandlall also cited fears of power outages disrupting the voting process, which he said could compromise any technology-dependent system.
Alexander pointed out that these concerns did not deter the PPP from advocating for biometrics while they were in opposition. He described the PPP’s current opposition as duplicitous, asserting that the proposed biometric technology is not for full electronic voting but for fingerprint identification, a step toward preventing issues like impersonation without fundamentally altering the voting process. Alexander added that in 2018, funds were allocated for implementing a fingerprint system but were ultimately blocked in GECOM by PPP-aligned commissioners, supported by Chair Justice Claudette Singh.
With the 2025 elections approaching, these allegations of voter impersonation and the absence of biometric safeguards have become central concerns among opposition voices, who call for measures that could prevent fraudulent voting practices. Alexander urged the PPP to act on its previous commitments to biometric voter identification, suggesting that a consistent position on election integrity could benefit the country’s democratic institutions.
