The Joint Opposition (JO) says it has noted that the Guyana Elections Com-mission (GECOM), at its meeting on Tuesday, 5th November, 2024, commenced discussions on the feasibility study on utilizing biometrics technology in elections that was prepared by its Chief Election Officer (CEO), Vishnu Persaud, on the recommendation of GECOM Com-missioner Vincent Alexander.
In a statement yesterday, PNCR/APNU, the AFC and the WPA said the fact that the subject of biometrics has remained on the agenda of GECOM, des-pite sustained efforts at excluding it, is “testimony to the will and persistence of the opposition parties and their commissioners”.
The submission and discussion of the CEO’s report on biometrics, though welcomed, constitute only a small step towards the goal of producing a clean voter list and introducing fingerprint biometrics as part of the voting process for the next and future General, Regional and Local Government elections.
“Let us re-emphasize that the Joint Opposition supports the full implementation of biometrics throughout the election process: that is, the capture of fingerprints digitally in the registration process (to enhance the quality of fingerprints available to the Commission and aid in the prevention of multiple registration) and digitized fingerprint identification at the place of poll (to prevent voter impersonation or identity theft)”, the statement said.
The joint opposition expressed their preparedness to lend support to all the necessary stages to arrive at this outcome, including enacting constitutional and statutory changes, if necessary.
“We believe that the technical and other concerns the CEO has identified in his report do not amount to insurmountable or irresolvable issues. We stand ready to engage in all necessary discussions at the GECOM level, the parliamentary level, and/or at the inter-party level to resolve these concerns to the satisfaction of all stakeholders, including the Guyanese people. We recognize and support GECOM’s position that stakeholder involvement should be integral to the process. In that regard, we call upon the Commission to promptly engage these stakeholders before finalizing its internal discussions on the way forward.”, the statement said.
The Joint Opposition expressed support for their commissioners and remain steadfast in pursuing the goal of free, fair, credible, and efficient elections in Guyana.
