GUYANA’S new Digital Identity (Digital ID) card is unlikely to replace the Guyana Elections Commission’s (GECOM) identification card in the short to medium term, according to Data Protection Commissioner Aneal Giddings.
Giddings made the disclosure during a recent interview with the Guyana Chronicle, during which he discussed the rollout of the Digital Identity Card, its intended uses and its relationship with existing identification systems.

Giddings explained that the two identification systems serve different purposes. GECOM has a constitutional mandate to register persons for electoral purposes, while the Digital Identity Card Registry is responsible for establishing the identity of citizens and eligible residents.
He explained that GECOM is a constitutional body guided by the National Registration Act, which provides for the national identification card used by the Elections Commission.
He noted that although the GECOM identification card is not itself a requirement to vote, it is a consequence of a person registering to vote.
Giddings said the Digital ID card is unlikely to replace the GECOM identification card in the short term, although he did not rule out the possibility in the future.
He said the distinction stems from the separate mandates of the two entities.
“GECOM, as a constitutional body, has a mandate to register persons for the purposes of elections. My entity does not do that,” Giddings said, adding: “So, I register persons for a different purpose, that is, to establish that they are citizens of Guyana.”
Giddings said any eventual move to have the Digital ID replace or serve in place of the GECOM card for electoral purposes could require changes to the existing legal framework.
“Unless those laws change, and dare I say, constitutional reform may be necessary,” he said.
He also pointed to the work of the Constitutional Reform Commission, but said he could not predict what changes, if any, may result from that process.
He said, “I’m going to say now that in the short and medium term, no, that our card will not replace GECOM’s card, so to speak.”
However, he said there could be scope for GECOM to recognise the Digital ID as an identification document at polling stations in the future. He stressed, however, that possession of the Digital ID would not by itself make a person eligible to vote.
“You must be registered with GECOM in order to cast your ballot at whatever elections they’re coordinating and supervising,” he said.
A total of 36,500 persons has so far been enrolled for Guyana’s new Digital Identity Card, with enrolment being conducted across all 10 administrative regions.

The Digital ID card, which is valid for 10 years, contains basic biographical information and a Guyana Unique Identification Number (GIN), which remains assigned to an individual throughout their lifetime.
Its embedded chip also stores biometric information, including the holder’s photograph, fingerprints and signature.
Giddings said the card is designed to make transactions with public and private institutions more efficient by allowing authorised systems to scan and verify the information, with the individual’s consent.
For more information on the Digital Identity Card, including registration, visit the official website: e-id.gov.gy
The Digital Identity Card Act 2023 provides for the establishment of a registry to collect identity data from Guyanese aged 14 and over.
It also covers eligible non-citizens, including skilled nationals of Caribbean Community (CARICOM) member states, for the issuance of Digital Identity Cards.
The legislation states that the digital identity system is intended to facilitate electronic governance and enhance government and other services.