Co-Leader of the Working People’s Alliance, Dr. David Hinds today accused the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) of putting “the cart before the horse” as it examines the issue of enhanced biometrics for the next elections.

 At a press conference last Friday, the Chairman of the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM), retired Justice Claudette Singh said the full Commission will first consult on the issue before consulting key stakeholders.

But Dr Hinds today told reporters that the GECOM Chair’s planned approach is deeply flawed. 

“WPA found the Chair’s declaration that GECOM intends to engage in prolonged discussion on the use of biometrics before consulting stakeholders to be wrongheaded—a case of putting the cart before the horse. It is our firm view that it makes much more sense to hear from stakeholders before arriving at a decision,” the WPA co-leader said. 

He said because the use of biometrics has become one of the central issues facing GECOM as it prepares for the upcoming election, the Commission must canvas the widest possible pool of professional and expert advice before deciding on the way forward. 

The WPA Co-Leader said consultation with stakeholders should not be an afterthought.

The WPA, Dr Hinds reminded, is in full support of the use of enhanced biometrics at polling stations.

“WPA reiterates its support for the use of biometrics as the issue of voter impersonation seems to be more serious than GECOM has hitherto revealed. This issue goes to the heart of electoral integrity. The PPP’s construction of barriers such as the need for constitutional change and time constraints should not prevent GECOM from doing everything within its power to ensure a democratic and just process,” he said. 

Dr. Hinds said obvious flaws in the electoral system must be fixed before elections, and not after elections. 

Back in 2019, the then Head of GECOM Information Technology Department, Aneal Giddings who is now the Deputy Chief Election Officer, had completed a report on the introduction of biometrics for the Commission and timelines associated with that introduction.

The Chairman of GECOM, however, said she is unaware of the report. She was not the chairman at the time it was compiled. 

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