–condemns Kaieteur News’ irresponsible reporting

THE Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) has noted a headline in the Friday, 5 September 2025 edition of the Kaieteur News under the caption, “Ballot boxes from Regions Four, Eight allegedly arrived at GECOM without seals – WIN officials.”

“Although GECOM issued a statement last evening condemning those false allegations of tampered ballot boxes, Kaieteur News did not find it necessary to publish a headline that is reflective of fairness and balance in accordance with proper journalistic principles,” the commission said in a press statement.
While information from the GECOM’s press release was published in the body of the article, the headline is misleading and carries the same weight of the said disinformation spewed by the We Invest in Nationhood (WIN) officials, GECOM said.

The commission emphasised: “These actions are irresponsible from the Kaieteur News since the framing of a headline grabs attention and a large percentage of readers only look at a headline. In this regard, GECOM takes this opportunity to further reiterate its position that there are no tampered ballot boxes.
“All the ballot boxes are intact with the official seals issued by GECOM and the seals of political parties.”

GECOM further added: “These allegations are blatantly false and GECOM completely rejects this deliberate mischief that is designed to obstruct the recount of the ballots cast in Sub-District Four of District Four and District Five and cause confusion.”

Importantly, the recount exercise went smoothly with the involvement of all accredited election agents from all the political parties and the presence of local and international observers.
“The Guyana Elections Commission is once again urging all stakeholders, including the media to act responsibly and only use verified information from authentic source before publication,” the commission said.