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Georgetown, Guyana — The Working People’s Alliance (WPA) has raised significant concerns about the study on biometrics conducted by the Chief Election Officer of the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM), calling into question its independence, timing, and reliability. In a virtual press conference held on Monday, WPA Co-Leader Dr. David Hinds contended that the biometrics feasibility study should have been overseen by an independent authority to ensure neutrality and maintain public trust in the electoral process.
Dr. Hinds stressed the WPA’s disappointment with the Chief Election Officer’s direct involvement, given the lack of confidence expressed by some commissioners and political parties regarding his impartiality. “Any serious feasibility study should have been prepared by an independent source rather than the chief election officer who does not enjoy the confidence of the full commission and all of the political parties,” he stated, underscoring the importance of a nonpartisan approach in electoral preparations.
The WPA’s critique of the study also targets its emphasis on potential obstacles to implementing biometric technology, such as financial costs, time constraints, and system reliability. Dr. Hinds suggested that these hurdles are being overemphasized as reasons to avoid electoral reform, adding that the WPA sees these factors as manageable if GECOM prioritizes voter transparency. “Time constraints should not be used as an obstacle to free and fair elections,” he remarked, reiterating that WPA considers biometrics essential for ensuring electoral integrity.
According to Hinds, biometrics alone will not be sufficient without additional reforms, specifically a comprehensive cleaning of the voters’ list and a commitment to impartiality from GECOM. He labeled this combination of reforms as an “all-or-nothing” measure necessary to address longstanding public concerns about election fairness.
The WPA’s statement also took aim at Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo, whom Hinds accused of unduly influencing GECOM’s election timeline and actions. Jagdeo’s recent remarks instructing GECOM to prepare for elections by next August were, according to Hinds, an overreach that undermines GECOM’s independence. He criticized the Vice President for “implicitly instructing GECOM to stick to his agenda,” and called upon the commission’s chair to resist any external political influence.
Dr. Hinds has reaffirmed that while the WPA supports biometrics as a vital reform, it must be part of a broader framework that addresses systemic issues within the electoral process. “We wish to remind the nation that the critical 1992 elections were delayed for almost two years to ensure that GECOM put in place the necessary reforms,” he said, suggesting that the focus should remain on implementing robust reforms rather than prioritizing cost or expedience.
