GEORGETOWN, GUYANA – August 7, 2025 — With just weeks left before Guyana heads to the polls, the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) is sending an urgent message to the public: Beware of fake news—your vote, and democracy itself, could be at risk.
In a strongly worded advisory issued Wednesday, GECOM warned that a surge in misinformation across social media and mainstream platforms is threatening to derail public trust and poison the electoral climate ahead of the September 1 General and Regional Elections.
“These disinformation campaigns aren’t just careless—they’re dangerous,” the Commission said, stressing that false or misleading content could confuse voters, erode confidence in state institutions, and even discourage citizens from showing up at the polls.
The stakes are high. As the official body tasked with delivering free and fair elections, GECOM says it is committed to operating with transparency—but it cannot win the information war alone.
“Fake news can disrupt the democratic process and undermine free and fair elections,” the Commission stated bluntly. “We appeal to every Guyanese to think critically and responsibly.”
GECOM is now urging voters, political parties, media houses, and civil society groups to treat only the Commission as the official source of election information—and to verify any claims before spreading them further. The agency will continue publishing verified updates through its website, social media, and press releases in an effort to stay ahead of false narratives.
One GECOM staff member, speaking off the record, said some of the misinformation already circulating is “designed to confuse and mislead,” from fake polling dates to bogus claims about voter eligibility.
“This isn’t just idle talk. People are being manipulated online,” the source said. “We’ve seen it before, and we’re seeing it again.”
The Commission’s warning comes at a tense moment in the campaign season, with political rhetoric heating up and online echo chambers amplifying every twist and turn. Officials fear that if left unchecked, the spread of misinformation could cast a shadow over the legitimacy of the entire election.
For now, GECOM’s message is clear: trust only verified sources, reject unproven claims, and don’t let disinformation silence your vote.
As Guyanese prepare to decide the country’s future, the battle for truth may prove just as critical as the contest at the ballot box.
