Almost a year after Guyanese went to the polls for the September 1, 2025 General and Regional Elections, the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) has yet to implement a biometric voter-verification system—despite repeated calls from opposition parties, civil society, trade union representatives and international election observers.

The delay is raising fresh concerns about the Commission’s preparedness as it moves toward Local Government Elections, constitutionally due in 2026, and whether the electoral machinery is being strengthened sufficiently to command public confidence.

The issue is not new. Biometrics was one of the most fiercely debated electoral reforms ahead of the 2025 elections. GECOM ultimately did not implement the system, citing legislative, technical and administrative challenges.