GECOM: Bangladeshi, other Commonwealth citizens in Guyana for a year were eligible to vote

The Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) on Monday night moved to address a number of issues raised during polling day, including questions about Bangladeshi nationals voting.

Speaking at a post-election press conference at the Media Centre set up at the Regency Hotel, Hadfield Street, Georgetown, GECOM’s Public Relations Officer, Yolanda Ward, assured that voting across the country proceeded smoothly and peacefully, and that where issues arose, they were addressed transparently and to the satisfaction of stakeholders.

Ward said the Commission remains concerned about the ongoing spread of misinformation and sought to clarify some of the more common areas of confusion. Among them was the eligibility of Bangladeshi nationals who possess Commonwealth identification cards.

“Under the laws of Guyana, Commonwealth citizens who have been residing in Guyana for one year or more are eligible to vote,” Ward explained, noting that the ID cards issued to these individuals reflect their legal residency status and are valid for electoral purposes.

She reminded that under the National Registration Act, eligibility extends to either Guyanese citizens or Commonwealth citizens legally resident for a year or more.

On the issue of multiple voters being registered at a single address, Ward explained that GECOM does not control people’s living arrangements. “There are instances where companies or agencies house employees at one location. What matters is that the registration process is followed in compliance with the law,” she stated.

Ward also addressed other concerns reported during the day, including the positioning of voting compartments. GECOM reminded presiding officers that compartments must be placed to ensure voter secrecy, and where deviations were noted, they were immediately corrected.

Questions were also raised about persons who did not have ID cards on polling day. Ward clarified that such individuals could still vote once their names appeared on the Official List of Electors, provided they answered security questions and signed the required oath. However, if a person’s name did not appear on the list at a given polling station, that individual could not vote there.

Other concerns included the presence of police officers inside polling stations. Ward stressed that police are to remain outside unless their assistance is requested by presiding officers.

As for names of deceased persons remaining on the voters’ list, Ward explained that these can only be removed when an official death certificate is presented. In some cases, names may remain until another cycle of verification is completed, but she assured that there are systems in place to prevent impersonation.

Despite minor delays, Ward concluded that the process moved smoothly and in accordance with GECOM’s procedures.