By Antonio Dey | HGP Nightly News |
The Committee of Supply has officially approved a $6.9 billion budgetary allocation for the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) for the 2026 fiscal year. The funding is specifically tailored to support the hosting of Local Government Elections (LGE), which are scheduled for later this year.
The approval followed a rigorous round of questioning by Opposition MPs, who sought clarity on election readiness, voter eligibility, and the contentious issue of biometric verification at polling stations.
Financing the 2026 LGE
Minister of Parliamentary Affairs and Governance, Gail Teixeira, confirmed that the allocation is slightly higher than the $6.8 billion granted in 2025, reflecting the additional costs associated with a full election cycle.
Allocation Breakdown for LGE:
- Personnel: Training and payment for polling day staff and thousands of scrutineers.
- Materials: Procurement of ballots, printing of official lists, and secure transportation.
- Logistics: Rental of polling stations and specialized equipment for data processing.
“In the budget, there are provisions for Local Government Elections,” Minister Teixeira assured MP Ganesh Mahipaul, noting that the funds are sufficient to cover all statutory requirements for the 2026 local polls.
The Biometrics Debate: “A Matter for the Commission”
A recurring theme during the session was the Opposition’s call for the introduction of biometric systems at the place of poll to prevent voter impersonation—a demand recently echoed by MP Dr. Dexter Todd in his critique of the national budget.
When pressed by MP Mahipaul on whether the $6.9 billion includes biometrics, Minister Teixeira reiterated the government’s position that GECOM is a constitutional body with independent decision-making authority.
- The Policy: Teixeira stated that if the Commission decides to implement biometrics, the government would have to return to Parliament for supplementary funding, as it is not currently included in the core GECOM budget.
- The Opposition View: APNU/AFC continues to argue that without biometrics and a “sanitized” voters’ list, the integrity of the upcoming LGE could be compromised.
Residency vs. Commonwealth Eligibility
APNU Parliamentary Lead Dr. Terrence Campbell raised concerns regarding the verification of Commonwealth citizens on the voters’ list. He questioned the rigor with which GECOM enforces “residency and domicile” requirements for non-Guyanese voters.
- Minister Teixeira’s Interpretation: She noted that GECOM currently interprets the law to allow Commonwealth citizens to vote after one year of residency, often verified via work permits.
- The Controversy: Dr. Campbell challenged this, asserting that “strict compliance” with both residency and intent to remain (domicile) must be verified to prevent legal challenges to the election results. Minister Teixeira countered, “We have no residency arrangement in Guyana,” underscoring a fundamental disagreement over how voter eligibility is tracked.
Next Steps for GECOM
With the budget approved, GECOM is expected to formally announce the election date and the commencement of the claims and objections period. The Commission will also be under pressure to assess the technical feasibility of biometrics before any supplementary funding requests.
