GECOM uncovers illegal registration, issuance of fraudulent ID cards

Jul 25, 2025 News

…police launch probe

Kaieteur News – The Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) has been notified of an unlawful registration and subsequent issuance of a fraudulent Identification (ID) card during the public scrutiny of the voter’s list.

The discrepancy was identified in the Revised List of Electors (RLE) released by GECOM weeks before the General and Regional elections are slated to happen. In a release GECOM said that the commission welcomes the identification of discrepancy in the RLE currently on display across the country.

Immediately upon being notified of the incorrectness, the GECOM said that it launched an internal investigation which revealed that the occurrence was due to non-compliance with established procedures at the level of the concerned registration offices.
According to GECOM, the procedure involved accepting applications for a replacement ID card, change of address, by a random person using the registration particulars of a genuine registrant or elector.

“Having recognised by way of internal queries that registration records of a legitimate registrant or elector was altered with his involvement, the chief election officer instruction that the unlawful transaction be reversed. This is done. The replacement ID card that was prepared is still in the commission‘s possession. The card will be destroyed.”

Further, the elections commission noted that an in-person discussion was held with the concerned registration officials and it was determined that there was a breach of the standard operating procedures by registration staff throughout the system and the staff who interacted with the person who visited the office to make the applications could not provide logical explanation for his actions in the matter.

Consequently, the police were invited to carry out investigations to determine whether action of the concerned registration official amounts to a criminal offence. In the interim, GECOM has reminded the public of the RLE is still on display for scrutiny and urges all concerned to check it to ensure that their particulars are accurate.

“The RLE is currently being displayed at two prominent locations in every registration division and sub divisions as well as on GECOM’s website for public scrutiny until July 29, 2025, should there be the discovery of any concern, a report must be made forthwith to the respective, registration office.” GECOM said it is committed to a transparent registration process that adheres strictly to the legal provisions and one in which registration transactions conducted are scrutinized by representatives in the parliamentary political parties.

Against this backdrop, the commission reassured all stakeholders that there is robust mechanism in place to guard against errors and remains committed to ensuring that its operations are transparent credible, free, fair and upholds the tenets of integrity and democracy.

With specific reference to the concern that has been raised in the public domain in relation to the regrettable existence of an irregular registration transaction, GECOM said it is thankful to have the opportunity to take the remedial action which is statutorily permissible during prescribed 21 days period for the display of RLE. “GECOM publicly acknowledges that two erroneous transactions were conducted at one of its registration offices and in the same breath to assure all stakeholder, especially the bona fide registrant who was affected that has to establish registration procedures been followed the incorrectness would not have occurred.” Insofar as the breach of procedures is concerned, the commission is currently conducting an internal investigation to ensure that there is no recurrence.

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Elections, Fraudulent Identification, GECOM, illegal registration

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