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Georgetown, Guyana — The Working People’s Alliance (WPA) on Monday criticized Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo for allegedly exerting undue influence on the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) by directing preparations for elections by August 2025. Speaking at a virtual press conference, WPA Executive Member Dr. David Hinds denounced what he termed Jagdeo’s “public instruction” as an intrusion on GECOM’s autonomy. “The Vice President is out of order,” Hinds stated, adding that Jagdeo’s interference pressures GECOM to adhere to the government’s agenda over ensuring a fair election process.
WPA insisted that GECOM should instead prioritize reforms like biometric identification and a clean voters’ list, which Hinds described as fundamental to safeguarding electoral credibility in a “winner-take-all system.” Hinds further warned that time constraints should not be used as an excuse for inadequate reforms and urged GECOM to resist any political pressure. “GECOM is not an arm of the people,” Hinds remarked, calling on GECOM Chair Claudette Singh to “disentangle herself from the PPP chokehold” and uphold the constitutional independence of the commission.
Emphasizing the significance of these reforms, Hinds recalled that the 1992 elections were delayed for nearly two years to implement safeguards, citing that the WPA would support an election delay if it helped achieve similar reforms. Hinds also criticized GECOM’s approach to the feasibility study on biometric technology, arguing that the study’s focus on costs and logistics appeared intended to dissuade the adoption of biometrics rather than address its implementation.
In calling for GECOM’s independence, the WPA asserted its commitment to supporting measures that strengthen election security, even if it requires taking legal steps. “The issue of prohibitive cost is hardly a constraint,” Hinds stated, arguing that the government’s willingness to spend on “political witch hunts” should apply equally to investments in electoral integrity.
The WPA’s statements add to the ongoing national discourse on the preparedness and transparency of Guyana’s election framework, with a focus on ensuring GECOM’s processes are both fair and free from political influence.
