The Forward Guyana Movement (FGM) has formally written to the Chairperson of the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM), Justice (Ret’d) Claudette Singh, seeking detailed information on the registration and participation of Commonwealth citizens in the 2025 General and Regional Elections.
In her letter, FGM Leader Amanza Walton-Desir requested: the number of registered voters who qualified under the category of Commonwealth citizens resident and domiciled in Guyana; a breakdown of such voters by country of origin, including India, Bangladesh, Trinidad and Tobago, Jamaica, Barbados, and other Commonwealth member States; and the number of Commonwealth citizens who actually voted disaggregated by country of origin.
Further, the FGM, which secured a seat in the National Assembly, has requested that Justice Singh also provide the statutory or regulatory provisions under which Commonwealth citizens were registered and permitted to vote; and copies of any internal guidelines, directives, or circulars issued by GECOM to its staff concerning the registration, verification, or voting process for Commonwealth citizens.
Walton-Desir emphasised that the integrity of Guyana’s electoral system depends on clarity, transparency, and accountability.
She added, “Guyanese citizens must be assured that their democratic will is not frustrated or diluted by the participation of foreign nationals. The people of Guyana deserve to know under what authority Commonwealth citizens were registered and how their participation was administered.”
FGM emphasized that the request seeks both statistical data and supporting documentation. The letter called on GECOM to respond within fourteen (14) days or provide a written explanation if it cannot comply fully.
Copies of the correspondence were also sent to GECOM Commissioners and international electoral observation missions, including the European Union, Commonwealth Secretariat, OAS, Carter Center, and CARICOM.
In a brief statement to Guyana Standard, GECOM’s Public Relations Officer, Yolanda Ward was keen to note that the National Registration Act stipulates the criteria for registration. Ward said, “Once you are eligible and the requisite source document is provided, registration is done in compliance with the law. Once registered, you are a registrant, and there was no need for GECOM to disaggregate.”
She also stressed that these matters require discussion and direction from the Commission to the Secretariat to take any action, if necessary.
