THE assurance from Chief Elections Officer Vishnu Persaud that results for the September 1, 2025 General and Regional Elections could be declared as early as the evening of September 2 represents more than just efficient logistics. It serves as a crucial test of Guyana’s democratic strength and institutional trust.
After the distressing five-month electoral situation in 2020, when people watched in frustration as officials tried to manipulate results for the then-ruling coalition, these promises carry significant importance.

Persaud’s commitment to posting Statements of Poll (SoPs) online as they are processed is vital. This transparency measure allows citizens to tally results from home, marking a major shift from the secrecy that plagued the 2020 crisis.

When previous officials brazenly used spreadsheets instead of official SoPs, they not only broke electoral laws but also shattered the trust the Guyanese people placed in them. The current focus on publishing these key documents online shows GECOM’s dedication to preventing similar manipulation in the future.
Justice Claudette Singh’s strong statement that “we would not have that kind of saga” highlights an institutional resolve to restore GECOM’s reputation.
Her assurance that stakeholders will be more watchful, along with the stronger legal protections put in place since 2020, suggests a commission that has learned from its darkest moments.
The international technical support aimed at improving operations underscores the seriousness of the electoral reform efforts.

However, promises need to be followed by action. The ongoing criminal proceedings against former GECOM officials, including Keith Lowenfield, Roxanne Myers, and Clairmont Mingo, and former APNU/AFC officials, are stark reminders of what results when electoral integrity is at risk.
Guyana’s democracy cannot handle another crisis of legitimacy. The current oil-driven economic changes make these elections particularly important, as they will decide who leads the nation through its unprecedented prosperity.

The international community, which stepped in decisively in 2020 to stop electoral fraud, will be watching closely to ensure that the reforms lead to credible and transparent elections.
Persaud’s note that recount requests could delay results is wise and necessary. The right to request recounts is a key protection in any democracy, and GECOM must be ready to handle such requests without undermining the process’s integrity.

What matters is that any delays arise from valid procedural needs, not the intentional confusion that marked 2020.
Guyanese deserve elections that are not just free and fair, but also clearly so. The new penalties for electoral wrongdoing, the updated training manuals for polling staff, and the commitment to real-time transparency indicate meaningful progress.

Yet, the true test will come on September 1 and the subsequent days, when these reforms face their first real challenge.
Guyana’s democracy has shown remarkable strength, having survived the attempted subversion of 2020 and emerging even stronger.
The reforms made since then by the current PPP/C, the ongoing accountability measures, and the transparent processes now in place give reasons for cautious optimism. However, continued vigilance is crucial.

The promise of quick, clear results must be kept not just for efficiency but as proof that Guyana’s electoral system has genuinely learned from its past failures and is dedicated to serving the people’s will rather than the desires of those who would undermine it.