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GECOM on track for Sept 1 polls
Kaieteur News – The Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) is currently on track with its preparations for the general and regional elections scheduled for September 1, 2025.
This is according to GECOM’s Public Relations Officer, Yolanda Ward, who confirmed that the commission is operating in accordance with its approved elections work plan.
“We are on track in relation to the approved work plan,” Ward stated.
So far, in terms of preparations, Ward highlighted that the commission has published a notice inviting political parties to submit their symbols for approval.” The notice reads, “all political parties desirous of contesting the general and regional elections to be held on 1st September, 2025, are required to submit a symbol for approval by the Guyana Elections Commission before nomination day,” set for July 14, 2025.
Secondly, the commission issued a public notice yesterday inviting local observers to apply for accreditation to observe the elections. According to the notice, domestic organisations or groups interested in observing the electoral process are encouraged to submit applications for approval.
Regarding issues under consideration by the commission, Ward stated that updates would be shared to the public once official decisions are made. “Operationally, we are on track with the work plan,” she said. “The other issues that the commission is dealing with are matters of policy decisions, and therefore, when the commission has finalised those discussions and made decisions, we would communicate that in a press release.”
President Irfaan Ali officially announced the September 1, 2025 elections date during his Independence Day address at the Albion Sports Complex in Region Six, Berbice. He stated that the decision followed consultation with GECOM Chair, Justice (Ret’d) Claudette Singh, who assured him that the commission would be ready to conduct elections on that date.
Following the announcement, a formal work plan was issued to GECOM to guide preparations. Initially, the decision sparked outrage among opposition-nominated commissioners, who expressed concerns about the commission’s readiness. They argued that the president’s announcement was based on misleading advice.
However, after a statutory meeting at GECOM’s headquarters in Kingston, Georgetown, the opposition-nominated commissioners agreed to support the September 1 timeline. Despite this consensus, some critical electoral issues remain unresolved.
Opposition-nominated commissioner Vincent Alexander highlighted several outstanding matters, including voting by polling agents, voting rights for incarcerated persons, stamping of ballots, domicile requirements, eligibility of Commonwealth citizens, and the underlining of deceased persons’ names on the voters list.
Alexander noted that during a meeting held on Thursday, some of these issues were addressed, while the remainder will be discussed further at the next commission meeting on Tuesday.
GECOM has confirmed that nomination day will be held on July 14, 2025. On that date, all political parties intending to contest the elections are required to submit their respective lists of candidates.
The commission’s approved work plan, prepared by Chief Elections Officer Vishnu Persaud, outlines key activities leading up to the September 1 polls in accordance with statutory timelines.
Meanwhile, on June 2, the National Assembly passed the Representation of the People (Amendment) (ROPA) Bill 2025. The bill allows for the appointment of deputy supernumerary returning officers in electoral sub-districts across Regions 3, 4, and 6. It also amends Sections 2(1) and 33C(1) of the Representation of the People Act (ROPA) and the National Registration Act.
According to the legal supplement published on May 16, Section 2(1) was amended to redefine “supernumerary returning officer” as “a deputy supernumerary returning officer.” Additionally, Section 33C (1) was revised, replacing the word “shall” with “may,” which introduces discretion in the revision of the Official List of Electors and the roll for non-resident electors under specific circumstances.
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