As the Opposition continues to heap pressure on both the Government and the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) to support the cleansing of the Voters’ List and introduce the use of biometrics for voting at the next elections, Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo today made it clear that the Government does not have any control over the Voters’ List.

The Joint Opposition has long claimed that the Voters’ List, which is extracted from the National Register of Registrants Database (NRRD), is heavily bloated with the names of dead people, and Guyanese who no longer reside in Guyana.

The Opposition Leader, Aubrey Norton has also said that to compound the situation, a large number of foreign nationals who may not be qualified to vote, have landed on the voters’ list, now that the strict requirements to obtain a birth certificate have been removed. 

But in rebutting the Opposition Leader’s contentions, Vice President Jagdeo today said the Opposition is on a campaign to discredit the 2025 Election ahead of time, on the grounds that it would be rigged.

He said while the Government does not have control over the Voters’ List, scrutineers from the major political parties in the country are often present during the registration of persons for inclusion on the list. 

Jagdeo made it clear that the PPP/C does not need foreigners to vote in its favor to win the next elections. 

“This is an attempt once again to drive fear into the populace and to create the specter as though large numbers of people, foreigners are being placed on this list to vote, and that is the PPP method to with the election. We don’t need foreigners to vote to win the elections,” Jagdeo said.

Mr. Jagdeo said the Elections Commission was right to caution the Opposition Leader over recent statements that suggested that at the next elections, the party through its polling agents will object to foreigners voting. 

In a statement, the Elections Commission reminded that in order for any name to be listed on the Official List of Electors (OLE), persons must satisfy the eligibility criteria for registration as stipulated in the National Registration Act.

The Elections Commission said once persons satisfy those requirements, and provide the requisite documents, they will be registered in accordance with the laws. 

Against that background, the Vice President assured that only eligible voters will be on the list come election day.

He warned, however, that any attempt to disrupt the election would be met with consequences. 

“If they break the law, they are going to face the consequences. So, don’t think that this bravado and this bullyism would work. This is a different Guyana, and even in the toughest of times we never allowed people like Norton to bully us,” Jagdeo said. 

The Vice President stated that while the ruling party has no issue with expanding the powers of Presiding officers to ensure that only people who are eligible to vote cast ballots, all systems of verification must be in accordance with the laws and constitution of the country.

He said Government will not engage in unconstitutional acts. 

“Sometimes they want you to observe the constitution faithfully and other times, they want you to depart from it. We don’t have a choice as politicians or as government or opposition. The constitution doesn’t belong to us. The belongs to the people of this country, and therefore, we have to comply fully with the constitution, we have to remain faithful to all of its provision, and that is precisely, what we will do,” Jagdeo said. 

Mr. Jagdeo noted that enhanced biometrics, as proposed by the Opposition, could delay the elections by months, and the ruling party is not in support of having the elections deferred. 

The Government has already indicated that the Elections Commission should be prepared for elections by August of next year.

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