The main opposition – A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) – has thrown its weight behind calls to stamp out alleged voter inducement practices ahead of the September 1 general elections, calling on the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) to explicitly prohibit the use of mobile phones inside polling booths.
The coalition said the move is necessary to safeguard the secrecy of the vote and to prevent bribery schemes that hinge on voters photographing their ballots to claim promised rewards.
The call comes amid growing concerns about vote buying, fuelled by a widely circulated video showing presidential candidate Azruddin Mohamed handing out cash in an Indigenous community. Mohamed, leader of the We Invest in Nationhood (WIN) party and currently under United States sanctions, has come under scrutiny for distributing money and making other promises to voters, prompting strong reactions from political stakeholders in the opposition and civil society.
In a press release issued on Monday, APNU said GECOM omitted a crucial detail in its own August 4 statement, which warned against acts that could compromise ballot secrecy or involve bribery. While GECOM reminded voters and political parties that it is illegal to offer or accept money or gifts in exchange for votes, APNU said the elections body failed to restate that photographing one’s marked ballot is also prohibited — a practice that could be used to prove compliance in vote-buying arrangements.
“Guyana has reached a point in its electoral history where the secrecy of the ballot must be guaranteed more than ever before,” the party stated, adding that “the rule prohibiting the taking of photos of one’s vote must be publicised widely and enforced on E-day in all polling stations countrywide.”
APNU also cited specific sections of the Representation of the People Act, pointing to Section 77(2), which criminalises inducing an elector to reveal their vote, and Section 130, which defines bribery and lays out penalties for both the giver and receiver of election-related inducements.
The coalition urged voters not to be tempted by “bribes waved in their faces by those who believe popularity could be bought” and called on GECOM to do more than issue reminders — insisting it must actively enforce existing rules. Among its recommendations are public education campaigns, enforcement protocols for polling day, and the creation of anonymous hotlines by GECOM and the Guyana Police Force for reporting electoral offences.
“The other contesting political parties, which are interested in free and credible elections, should have no difficulty in publicly endorsing these and other measures to maintain the secrecy of the ballot,” APNU said, suggesting a shared responsibility for upholding democratic principles.
The issue of mobile phones in polling places was raised during the 2023 Local Government Elections, when GECOM had banned their use inside voting areas. However, for the upcoming general elections, the Commission has not yet announced whether a similar ban will apply, though it did warn that taking photos of ballots could lead to prosecution.
Meanwhile, though GECOM has not announced an investigation, it reiterated that offering or accepting inducements is a criminal offence punishable by fines and imprisonment. It also warned that those convicted could be disqualified from participating in future elections.
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