The three members of the Elections Commission representing the Opposition recently issued a joint letter calling for the implementation of biometrics by way of electronic fingerprint technology, to identify voters at elections. This is a longstanding demand by the Opposition that picked up speed after the 2020 elections when the Opposition, in a deflective manoeuvre, incredulously accused the PPP of rigging. As an aside, we should understand that if and when fingerprint technology is implemented, reasons will then be found to continue to allege that the PPP is rigging the elections. Demands will then emerge for retina identification technology. These demands for additional measures, including applicable AI technology, will continue indefinitely into the future, as long as the PPP wins elections. With fading memories, it is difficult to believe that it was the PNC governments from 1968 to 1985 that applied the most unusual, open, measures to rig elections. Its attempt to do so in 2020, creating great trauma across Guyana, suggests that if it ever achieves office again, the appalling crudities witnessed in the Ashmin’s building and in Kingston in 2020 will be once again applied.
Log into your account
Log in for full access to stabroeknews.com. You can also post comments, and manage your email subscription.
