Jagdeo suspicious of opposition parties following fake GECOM recruitment portal

Vice President Dr Bharrat Jagdeo on Thursday voiced deep concern and suspicion over the involvement of the People’s National Congress Reform (PNC/R) and the Alliance for Change (AFC), following the circulation of a fraudulent link posing as an official recruitment portal for the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM).

Speaking at a press briefing, Dr Jagdeo revealed his initial reaction upon encountering the fake link. “When I saw it, my first thought was: this looks like the work of the PNC and AFC,” he said, referencing the opposition parties’ history with electoral misconduct.

He cautioned members of the public to avoid falling prey to what he implied could be a data collection ruse.

“Be careful you don’t get duped and end up applying to them for a job,” he warned. “They could be trying to take your personal information. Maybe they’re struggling to recruit polling agents.”

Earlier in the day, GECOM confirmed the existence of a fraudulent URL (https://tinyurl.com/gecom-gy-recruitment), which falsely claims to be its online employment recruitment portal for the upcoming General and Regional Elections.

In an official statement, GECOM unequivocally distanced itself from the fake site, reiterating that it has not created or authorised any such online recruitment platform.

“The general public is hereby notified to disregard this attempt by persons unknown, keeping in mind that the provision of personal information could have serious consequences,” the Commission said.

GECOM expressed concern that such acts of mischief, including the spread of misinformation and disinformation, are likely to increase during the election period. The Commission has therefore called on individuals to cease these actions, citing potential damage to public trust and the democratic process.

“These actions can (i) hinder participation in the democratic process, (ii) cause confusion and mistrust, and (iii) undermine the credibility of electoral processes,” the statement added.

Citizens are urged to remain vigilant and to verify the authenticity of any information concerning GECOM’s operations. The Commission advised that official information will always be shared through its verified website – www.gecom.org.gy – and emphasised the importance of checking the accuracy of URLs before clicking any links.

Anyone who encounters suspicious content or has concerns is encouraged to contact GECOM at telephone numbers 225-0277-9, 223-9650 or 223-9653, or via Facebook Messenger at facebook.com/GuyanaElectionsCommission.