There is no democracy without fairness, and no legitimacy without trust.

Jul 03, 2025 Letters

Dear Editor,

The Guyana Trades Union Congress (GTUC) and the Institute For Action Against Discrimination (IFAAD) jointly call on the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) to immediately distribute the Preliminary List of Electors (PLE) to all registered political parties without delay or bias.

As stewards of democracy and defenders of equal rights in Guyana, we are deeply concerned by any decision or practice by GECOM that may appear discriminatory or inconsistent with the principles of fairness, transparency, inclusion and the right to vote. GECOM is constitutionally mandated to act in the interest of the people and the democratic process—not to selectively engage with some political entities while marginalising others.

This nation belongs to all Guyanese, and the right to participate in free and fair elections is a cornerstone of our democratic society. Therefore, GECOM must ensure that every political party, regardless of size or perceived influence, is treated with equal respect and given timely access to critical electoral resources, including the Preliminary List of Electors.

We further urge GECOM to move swiftly towards the implementation of biometric voter verification systems, such as fingerprint and facial recognition technology, to safeguard the integrity of the vote. These tools are essential to preventing electoral fraud and ensuring that each vote cast is secure and legitimate. If Ghana—with an electoral roll of 15 million—was able to implement a biometric system in just six weeks, then Guyana, with fewer than 800,000 voters and a list already clouded by credibility concerns, can do the same—if not better.

This is not a matter of cost, but of commitment. GECOM must demonstrate the will to uphold free, fair, and credible elections, and the government must provide the financial resources to make it happen. Guyana can afford it. But more importantly, we cannot afford not to. Doing right by the citizens and safeguarding the integrity of the electoral process is not optional—it is the bedrock of democracy.

We remind GECOM that this is a democratic nation, guided by the laws of the Cooperative Republic of Guyana. Any deviation from lawful, transparent, and impartial practices not only threatens the credibility of the electoral process but also undermines public trust in our institutions.

We therefore call upon GECOM to:

Distribute the Preliminary List of Electors to all registered political parties immediately.

Act without fear or favour, as required by its constitutional mandate.

Ensure equal treatment of all political parties and equitable access to electoral materials.

Implement biometric safeguards to protect the integrity and credibility of the electoral process.

Uphold the rule of law and respect the principles of democracy in all its operations.

The GTUC and IFAAD will continue to vigilantly monitor developments and will not hesitate to advocate — at every level — for the protection of citizens’ rights, electoral integrity, and the democratic future of Guyana. There is no democracy without fairness, and no legitimacy without trust. The time to act is now.

Regards,

Lincoln Lewis

General Secretary

Guyana Trades Union Congress (GTUC)

Pt. Ubraj Narine

Vice Chairman

Institute for Action Against Discrimination (IFAAD)

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credible elections, Guyana Elections Commission, Guyana Trades Union Congress, Institute For Action Against Discrimination, Preliminary List of Electors

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