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Georgetown, Guyana — The issue of voter impersonation during the 2020 General and Regional Elections was raised again on November 15, 2024, as opposition leader Aubrey Norton and Alliance For Change (AFC) leader Nigel Hughes criticized the government and the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) for inaction and lack of transparency. Norton accused Attorney General Anil Nandlall of failing to follow through on a promised investigation, while Hughes raised concerns about systemic electoral vulnerabilities.
Norton Questions AG’s Silence on Voter Fraud Allegations
At a press conference, People’s National Congress Reform (PNCR) leader Aubrey Norton chastised Attorney General Anil Nandlall for his prolonged silence on voter impersonation claims made by the APNU+AFC coalition. In 2022, Nandlall publicly committed to investigating allegations that individuals had cast ballots on behalf of deceased persons and citizens reportedly out of the country on Election Day. Norton claimed, “Over two years have now elapsed. The AG has since gone totally silent on the matter. Why the convenient silence? Why the attempts to bury the matter?”
Norton insisted that the records provided to Nandlall and GECOM substantiate the claims of voter impersonation. He called on Nandlall to report to the public whether the documents were submitted to relevant agencies and what findings, if any, emerged from the investigations. “Surely, two years is more than enough time…to fully examine these grave allegations,” Norton said, alleging a broader attempt by the ruling People’s Progressive Party (PPP) to cover up electoral fraud.
The opposition leader further connected these allegations to incidents of forgery in the 2023 Local Government Elections, for which the PPP issued an apology. Norton reaffirmed his party’s call for a new voter list and the introduction of fingerprint biometrics to ensure the integrity of future elections.
Hughes: GECOM Must Address Loopholes
In a separate press conference, AFC leader Nigel Hughes underscored the need for GECOM to address operational weaknesses exposed during the 2020 elections. Referring to reports that GECOM Chair Justice Claudette Singh had corresponded with the Commissioner of Police about alleged voter impersonation, Hughes questioned whether adequate measures had been taken to investigate and resolve these discrepancies.
“If the representations by the Commissioner of Police are accurate, then GECOM needs to have put in place one, some sort of system to investigate how those persons were recorded as voting. And two, to satisfy…apprehensions the population may have that there may be a repeat,” Hughes stated.
He highlighted the critical importance of biometrics in both voter registration and at polling stations. Hughes emphasized that efficient implementation of fingerprint biometrics during voting could prevent individuals from voting multiple times and bolster public confidence in the electoral process.
Call for Electoral Reforms Intensifies
Both Norton and Hughes emphasized the urgency of electoral reforms. While Norton framed his demands as essential for safeguarding democracy, Hughes concentrated on ensuring GECOM fulfills its responsibility to deliver credible elections. The leaders’ comments come amid ongoing debates about the credibility of the 2020 elections and mounting pressure for systemic improvements ahead of the 2025 polls.
