The Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) has strongly rejected what it described as “mischievous” assertions by the Guyana Human Rights Association (GHRA) and its partner organisations regarding the conduct of the September 1 General and Regional Elections.

In a statement issued Tuesday, GECOM said it has taken note of an unsigned and undated document in circulation, purportedly from the GHRA, which, according to the Commission, appears aimed at undermining public confidence in the electoral process.

“The contents of the document appear to be clearly intended to undermine the gains made by the Commission regarding the efficient manner in which the elections were conducted and, somehow, to besmirch the integrity of the process with insinuations of irregularity,” GECOM stated.

Addressing concerns about inclusiveness, GECOM maintained that it fully complied with legislative requirements in preparing the Official List of Electors (OLE). Since January 2023, registration has been conducted year-round, including several Claims and Objections exercises, the last of which was directly tied to the preparation of the OLE.

“The issue of inclusiveness regarding the conduct of the election can only be seen as mischievous,” the Commission added

One of GHRA’s main points of concern was the participation of Bangladeshi and Indian contract workers.

GECOM clarified that both countries are members of the Commonwealth, and the law provides for Commonwealth citizens 14 years and older, residing legally in Guyana for at least one year, to be registered as electors and, once meeting the age requirement, to vote.

“Every citizen from Commonwealth countries, not limited to the two about which the GHRA is concerned, who meet the criteria, qualify for registration and, by extension, to vote at elections,” the Commission explained. Once registered, they are entitled to the same rights as Guyanese citizens.

GECOM also rejected criticisms surrounding the issuance of ID cards, noting that for over two decades, the nationality field on the application form for Commonwealth citizens has been marked with the letter “C.”

“Suddenly, this becomes a problem of the GHRA,” the Commission said

The Commission dismissed claims about “foreign voters” being covertly inserted into the OLE as baseless, emphasising that every entry met statutory requirements.

It also labelled concerns over voters arriving in groups as a “non-issue,” stating there is no regulation governing whether electors vote individually or collectively.

On calls for greater transparency regarding voter eligibility and verification, GECOM underscored that this is already done during registration, Claims and Objections exercises, and through the publication of Preliminary and Revised Lists of Electors.

GECOM urged GHRA and its partner organisations to desist from issuing what it described as “unsubstantiated assertions” that could damage the credibility of the elections.

“We therefore call on the GHRA and the organisations who endorsed the document to desist from making unsubstantiated assertions which, in the eyes of the Commission, is aimed at undermining the integrity and credibility of the yet to be concluded elections,” GECOM declared