Dear Editor,
The revelation that an undisclosed number of Indian and Bangladeshi contract workers voted in Guyana’s 2025 elections raises a number of questions. In the interest of transparency, I ask that GECOM and the appropriate government Ministries provide answers to the following questions:
Number of travel visas, dates of issue, and duration, issued to contract labourers since August 2020, and by nationality (Indian, Bangladeshi, Chinese, etc.)
Number of work permits, dates of issue, and duration, issued to contract labourers since August 2020, and by nationality (Indian, Bangladeshi, Chinese, etc.)
Number of Guyana ID cards, and dates of issue, issued to contract labourers since August 2020, and by nationality (Indian, Bangladeshi, Chinese, etc.).
Number of Guyana ID cards that were marked as ‘c’ or ‘Commonwealth’, rather than actual nationality.
Did the two political party scrutineers review all registration applications as they are required by law to do? And, if not, why not?
Evidence that GECOM checked ‘Proof of Domicile & Residency’ (minimum 1 year), including utility bills, tenancy agreements, property ownership, or affidavits, that were used to prove that the contract workers have lived in Guyana continuously for at least 12 months.
Evidence that GECOM cross-checked with the General Registration Office and the Immigration Department to confirm the person’s status and avoid double registration.