Latest update August 4th, 2026 12:30 AM
Obstructing secrecy of vote is an offence – GECOM warns
Kaieteur News – With less than a month away for the September 1, general and regional elections, the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) has issued a reminder to all voters, particularly first-time voters, about key election laws, including the illegality of vote-buying and obstructing the secrecy of a person’s vote.
GECOM in a statement issued Monday, emphasised that all stakeholders and voters have a legal and civic duty to ensure the elections are conducted in a free, fair, transparent, and credible manner.
“In this regard, the commission takes the opportunity to strongly emphasise the need for voters and other concerned stakeholders to be informed of the following provisions as enacted in the Representation of the People Act Cap: 1: 03:” the commission stated.
Guyana Elections Commission
The commission reminded that is a criminal offense for any person to directly or indirectly offer money, gifts, or loans to a voter in exchange for their vote. Secondly, it is also illegal for any person, including the voter himself, to communicate at any time to any person, any information about the political party for which any voter has voted on his behalf, or as a proxy on behalf of another voter.
Additionally, GECOM noted that it is a violation of the law for anyone to pressure or influence a voter to show their marked ballot, thereby revealing the party they voted for, either on their own behalf or as a proxy.
The commission warned that anyone found guilty of committing these offenses may face a fine and up to six months’ imprisonment upon summary conviction. Furthermore, convicted individuals may also be disqualified from participating in future elections.
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