‘Virtually impossible’ for anyone to vote twice – GECOM CEO says

Chief Elections Officer of the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM), Vishnu Persaud, has assured the public that it is “virtually impossible, unless there is collusion,” for anyone to vote more than once at the upcoming General and Regional Elections, scheduled for September 1, 2025.

Speaking at GECOM’s first press conference, held 14 days before the polls, Persaud addressed concerns about the possibility of double voting.

He outlined several measures designed to safeguard the integrity of the process, including a folio of coloured photographs of registered voters. Persaud explained that this visual verification system has been strengthened to make impersonation and duplication more difficult.

Persaud further revealed that the use of electoral ink to confirm voting is also stringent to prevent duplication. Electors will be required to dip their finger into the ink, which has been manufactured to high standards of durability.

“I recognise there was a comment about the potency of the ink. The manufacturers and suppliers have given assurance that it is not possible to remove the ink easily, unless something was deliberately applied to the finger beforehand,” Persaud said.

He added that the ink should be allowed to dry naturally, and electors will be asked to clean their fingers before it is applied at the upcoming elections.