GECOM yet to take actions to allow oil rig workers to vote by proxy

Aug 13, 2025 News

GECOM Commissioner, Vincent Alexander

Kaieteur News – Opposition nominated commissioner, Vincent Alexander has called out the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) for its laxed approach to managing the upcoming general and regional elections.

With less than three weeks left to the national polls, Alexander revealed in a letter that the commission is yet to take action to enable thousands of workers on oil rigs to vote by proxy.

Describing GECOM as consciously regressive, Alexander accused the government-nominated commissioners and the chair of GECOM of hindering many efforts—including the introduction of biometrics and the removal of deceased persons from the voter’s list—aimed at enhancing the electoral process.

In his missive, Alexander pointed out that GECOM has not taken action to enable workers on oil rigs to vote by proxy, as is provided for transport and harbour workers, or by postal ballot, as is available for the joint services and non-resident Guyanese.

“When approached on this matter, GECOM simply reiterated that there is no specific provision for rig workers, other than the employer’s obligation to give them time off to vote,” he said.

Alexander explained that GECOM has taken this stance although the law was passed allowing transport and harbour workers to vote by proxy.

He emphasised that the current circumstances for rig workers are even direr than those that mandated special arrangements for transport and harbor workers.

“Their numbers are greater, and the logistics of granting time off pose a significant operational challenge. A more progressive GECOM could have initiated the amendment of the relevant legislation to treat workers on offshore rigs, over 200 miles away, in the same manner as discipline service or transport and harbor workers. Yet, GECOM has repeatedly insisted that initiating legislation is not its responsibility. This insistence flies in the face of GECOM’s constitutional responsibilities and the legislative provisions that empower it to address such difficulties,” Alexander said.

The commission had raised similar contention about the disenfranchisement of incarcerated individuals.

He noted that the matter seems to be of little concern to GECOM.

“Conversely,” Alexander also highlighted the potential disenfranchisement of overseas Guyanese—who are listed, possibly deceased, or not in the country on election day—is of major concern.

“They are known to have voted in 2020, and the provisions designed to ensure they cannot do so threaten their voting rights.”

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GECOM, Guyana Elections, oil rig, vote by proxy, workers

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