Guyana Electoral Commission Urged to Implement Biometric Voter Authentication Before Elections

The Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) is being urged to implement fingerprint biometrics for voter registration and authentication ahead of the upcoming General and Regional Elections. The Opposition People’s National Congress Reform (PNC Reform) has called for swift examination of biometric implementation possibilities, following a comprehensive feasibility study that estimated equipment costs at approximately $20 million.

The feasibility study on electronic fingerprint biometrics, delivered to Chief Election Officer Vishnu Persaud two months ago, concluded that the technology would provide robust protections against voter impersonation, multiple voting, and electoral manipulation. The study marks GECOM’s most significant step toward modernizing its voter authentication system since its establishment.

Opposition Leader Aubrey Norton pointed to Ghana’s successful implementation of biometrics for 17 million people in under two months as evidence of feasibility. However, Ghana’s experience has not been without challenges, as shown by recent incidents involving stolen biometric verification devices and subsequent investigations. With Guyana’s population of 750,000, Norton maintains that implementation is achievable given adequate resources and independent operation of GECOM.

The implementation timeline could be shortened by conducting multiple processes simultaneously, including staff training, public education initiatives, and deployment of field personnel. The recent government registration of hundreds of thousands of citizens for a cash grant program demonstrates the country’s capacity for large-scale registration efforts, though biometric implementation would require additional technical infrastructure and security measures.

To improve time and cost efficiency, Norton suggested that new ID card production and distribution could be deferred until after the elections. The opposition also recommended learning from other nations’ implementations to avoid potential difficulties, particularly noting the experiences of countries like Albania, which recently undertook a similar biometric voter registration initiative under tight deadlines.

GECOM Chairperson Claudette Singh faces mounting pressure to address the biometric implementation question as election preparations continue. The feasibility study’s findings and successful international implementations provide reference points for the commission’s deliberations on enhancing electoral integrity through biometric technology, while also considering the technical, logistical, and security challenges observed in other jurisdictions.

Sources: News Source Guyana

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January 06, 2025 – by the ID Tech Editorial Team