Political Parties and International Observers Oversee GECOM’s Ballot Preparations

With just under three weeks to go before Guyana’s 2025 General and Regional Elections, the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) has started processing ballot papers and other sensitive materials under the supervision of political parties and the European Union Election Observer Mission.

GECOM Commissioner Sase Gunraj confirmed that the process, which began earlier this week, includes sorting, packing, and verifying ballot papers, Statements of Poll (SOPs), and other key election documents. These will then be placed into ballot boxes and sent to polling stations ahead of election day. “Elections are less than three weeks away. These materials have to be sorted, packed, verified, and placed in ballot boxes for dispatch before polling day,” Gunraj explained.

The review of ballot papers and SOPs is a crucial step in safeguarding the credibility of the polls. Ballot papers carry security features to prevent duplication or tampering, ensuring that each vote cast is legitimate. SOPs, which record the vote count at every polling station, serve as the first official record of results and form the foundation for the final national tally.

Gunraj stressed that preparations are also being made for Joint Services voting, which takes place in just nine days. “It is the same materials being prepared now that will be used for that process,” he noted.

While he did not give a fixed completion date, the commissioner said the verification exercise is ongoing and expected to take several days. He also pointed out that the presence of political party representatives adds an extra layer of transparency and builds public confidence in how the election is managed.