GECOM confirms photos of actual ballots posted online but source unknown

Chief Elections Officer (CEO) Vishnu Persaud on Monday said that GECOM has been able to confirm that photos of actual ballots were posted online as members of the Disciplined Forces voted across Guyana last Friday.

“We have not been able to determine how, where, or when that was taken, but they are photos of actual ballots,” he told reporters.

Persaud said while the photographs are authentic, the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) has not established their origin. He stressed, however, that the appearance of the images does not compromise the integrity of the electoral process.

“At the level of the Secretariat, we have operated at the highest and most optimal level to ensure compliance with statutory requirements, the policy decisions of the Commission and internal best practices, in line with the expectations of stakeholders,” Persaud said.

“We are giving our best to ensure that what we do can withstand scrutiny.”

The CEO reminded that GECOM had already moved to restrict the use of mobile phones in polling stations. The decision was aimed at deterring vote buying and preventing electors from photographing their ballots.

“It is considered illegal, and one can be prosecuted, fined, and even imprisoned if found guilty,” Persaud explained.

He said the restriction was tested during the Disciplined Forces balloting, and it worked effectively.

“We have not received expressions from stakeholders that it did not work,” Persaud added.

Still, the photographs now circulating suggest the rule was breached. Asked whether GECOM would investigate further, Persaud was cautious: “This is something I will undertake to interrogate to examine if we can go in that direction.”

On the issue of the position of the voting compartment, Persaud said the arrangement was developed in such a way that GECOM is not solely responsible for ensuring voters do not sneak phones into polling places, but that stakeholders also have a role.

He acknowledged hearing concerns that some compartments were not positioned in a way that allowed party agents to observe but stressed, “The operation of the polling station is for GECOM. Those rules are for GECOM.”

To provide clarity, Persaud said a pictorial example of how the voting compartment should be set up will be issued and can be followed as a guide.

The CEO also used the press conference to clear up reports that an elector had found their name on the online list of electors but not at their polling station. He explained that several polling places are often located at the same site and the voters’ lists are not singular.