GECOM bans cell phones inside polling stations for Sept 1 elections to protect secrecy of the vote

The Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) on Tuesday night announced a ban on the use of cell phones inside polling stations for the September 1, 2025 General and Regional Elections, saying the move is a safeguard to protect the secrecy of the ballot and to crack down on vote selling.

Vincent Alexander, the opposition-nominated commissioner who represents A Partnership for National Unity (APNU), had been pushing heavily for this.

In a statement on Tuesday, GECOM said the decision forms part of a comprehensive set of new measures to preserve the integrity of the voting process. The Commission pointed to concerns about the photographing of ballots as a means of facilitating vote selling, a practice outlawed under the Representation of the People Act, Cap. 1:03.

“The integrity of the electoral process is of crucial importance. These measures are designed to ensure that every citizen can cast their vote freely and without undue influence, and that the secrecy of their choice is absolutely protected,” GECOM said in its release.

To enforce the ban, GECOM has outlined several procedures:

Clear notices will be posted outside and inside every polling station explicitly stating that cell phone use is prohibited.

Announcements will be made throughout polling day reminding voters to switch off their phones before entering.

Before a ballot is issued, polling officials will instruct voters to turn off and set aside their phones on a designated desk or table next to the voting compartments.

The voter’s ID card, passport, or driver’s licence will be temporarily held by the presiding officer and only returned after the vote is cast.

Voting compartments will be positioned to allow staff and party agents to observe if voters attempt to use their phones, while still respecting privacy.

Any attempt to photograph a ballot will trigger an alarm by polling staff or agents, and the incident will be immediately reported to the Guyana Police Force.

GECOM stressed that collaboration with law enforcement underscores the seriousness of electoral offences and its commitment to “rigorous enforcement” of the law.

The Commission reminded voters that vote selling is a criminal offence, punishable by a fine of G$65,000 and up to six months’ imprisonment.

“These measures align with international best practices for election administration,” the release noted, adding that many jurisdictions worldwide have similar prohibitions to protect ballot secrecy and prevent fraud.

With just under two weeks before polling day, GECOM has appealed to all voters to cooperate with the new rules, stressing that they are essential to maintaining confidence in the democratic process.

“The Commission is committed to upholding the principles of free and fair elections and will take all necessary steps to prosecute those who attempt to undermine the democratic process,” the statement concluded.