GECOM Reinforces Finger Ink Rules Ahead of September 1 Elections
By Tiana Cole, HGP Nightly News
The Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) has announced an additional safeguard for the upcoming September 1, 2025 General and Regional Elections: voters will now be required to properly clean their fingers before dipping them in electoral ink after casting their ballots.
Chief Elections Officer Vishnu Persad explained that while the ink itself is durable and tested for quality, some electors in the past have attempted to remove or weaken it by applying substances such as oil or cream beforehand. This practice, he warned, could compromise the integrity of the electoral process by allowing repeat voting.
“The rule is that the ink should be allowed to dry on your finger naturally,” Persad stressed.
For decades, the electoral ink stain has been a visible symbol of democracy in Guyana, marking voters’ participation and ensuring the principle of “one person, one vote.”
Persad assured that the ink for this election is virtually impossible to remove unless deliberately tampered with before dipping. He added that manufacturers and suppliers have guaranteed its durability.
In addition to ink safeguards, GECOM is reinforcing other protective measures. Every polling station will be equipped with a folio containing color photographs of all registered voters, shared with staff and party agents. According to Persad, this makes impersonation nearly impossible and strengthens voter confidence.
