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Georgetown, Guyana — Concerns over voter impersonation and the structural integrity of the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) took center stage at the Working People’s Alliance (WPA) press conference on November 2, 2024. The WPA accused GECOM of failing to address irregularities during the 2020 general election, including allegations of voter impersonation and missing statutory documents. The party also voiced doubts about GECOM’s readiness to conduct credible elections in 2025 without significant reforms.
Dr. David Hinds, WPA’s co-leader, raised concerns about GECOM’s response to allegations of voter impersonation during the 2020 elections. According to the WPA, corroborating reports from the Chief Immigration Officer indicated instances where individuals reportedly voted while being outside of Guyana. Furthermore, the WPA highlighted the absence of statutory documents from 47 ballot boxes on the East Coast of Demerara as a significant breach.
“These are not trivial matters,” Hinds stated. “The failure to investigate and act amounts to a cover-up, which undermines public trust in GECOM.” The WPA rejected GECOM’s argument that these issues should be addressed through an election petition, citing double standards in how the commission handled complaints before and after the declaration of results.
The WPA’s criticisms extended to GECOM’s structure and operations, labeling the agency as partisan and unfit to ensure a fair electoral process. Dr. Hinds proposed the adoption of the “Sjurberg-Valli model,” where the chairperson refrains from using their casting vote to favor one side. Instead, the focus would be on fostering consensus among partisan commissioners.
“Casting the deciding vote invariably supports one political side,” Hinds argued. “Consensus must be the rule, not the exception, especially in a divided country like Guyana.”
The WPA also called for a clean voters’ list and the implementation of biometric voter identification to enhance electoral credibility. These measures, according to the party, are essential to avoiding a repeat of the alleged irregularities and instilling confidence in the upcoming elections.
Party executive Professor Clive Thomas emphasized the need for comprehensive reforms to Guyana’s electoral and governance systems. He reiterated the WPA’s position that the country’s challenges require a consensus-driven approach, including the formation of a national government to manage Guyana’s resources more equitably and transparently.
“We need mechanisms to promote collaboration, not division,” Dr. Thomas stated. “Consensus is vital to prevent the chaos that can result from contested election outcomes.”
The WPA declared its intent to continue advocating for reforms and maintaining pressure on GECOM. Hinds reiterated that without meaningful changes, the 2025 elections risk being neither free nor fair. “The credibility of elections is non-negotiable,” Hinds concluded. “We cannot afford another crisis in our democratic process.”
