GECOM Commissioner Sase Gunraj reaffirmed that the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) is fully prepared to conduct General and Regional Elections on September 1, 2025.
He also defended the agency’s efforts to address past failures while lamenting delays in justice for the 2020 election fraud during an appearance on ‘The Starting Point’ podcast on Sunday.
His wide-ranging interview tackled everything from prison voting and observer recommendations to GECOM’s internal reforms and readiness.
Gunraj doubled down on earlier statements that, while most prisoners in Guyana are constitutionally allowed to vote, GECOM lacks the legal and logistical framework to enable it.
The commissioner also addressed a recommendation from the CARICOM observer mission for a “political audit” of GECOM’s operations following the tumultuous 2020 elections. When asked directly whether such an audit had been conducted, Gunraj replied: “No, it hasn’t. But I’d also ask—what exactly is meant by a political audit?”
He instead highlighted numerous post-election engagements with international partners, including the European Union and the United Nations, where many recommendations were reviewed and adopted. Some were implemented directly by GECOM, while others required legislative amendments, many of which have since been passed.
“Tangible steps have been taken to ensure there isn’t a repeat of 2020,” he said.
Gunraj argued that the Representation of the People Act is detailed and prescriptive, making Mingo’s spreadsheet scandal all the more egregious.
He added that significant penalties have been added to the Act to deter such behaviour in the future, making it legally riskier than ever for anyone to attempt electoral fraud.
Despite multiple charges laid against several high-profile GECOM and political figures, among others, Gunraj noted his frustration at the slow pace of the judicial process.
“There have been inexcusable delays. Justice is crawling.”
While careful not to attack the judiciary, he said the slowness undermines public confidence and leaves the trauma of 2020 unresolved.
“The trauma of that period still lives with many of us.”
Gunraj dismissed the opposition-nominated commissioners’ claims that GECOM is unprepared for the 2025 elections.
“They said we weren’t ready before we even saw the plan.”
According to him, the full Commission has since reviewed and approved the Chief Election Officer’s plan, and implementation is already underway with no major hiccups.
He also dismissed claims that the President’s announcement of the election date was out of step with protocol.
“The President sought advice from the Chair, as required. That’s the only advice needed.”
As for international and local observer groups—some of which opposition voices have questioned—Gunraj said: “Observers play a vital role. They lend credibility and transparency to the process.”
He acknowledged they cannot be at all 2,300+ polling stations at once, but said their presence and reporting strengthen public trust.
Gunraj also criticised what he sees as a pattern of obstruction from opposition-aligned commissioners, accusing them of pre-emptively undermining the elections.
“This is the second cycle where they’ve used all kinds of excuses to delay elections.”
Gunraj’s wrapped up with a clear message that GECOM is ready. The law has been strengthened. Systems are in place. But for full accountability and trust in the electoral process, justice must catch up.
“We’ve done the work. Now the justice system needs to do its part.”
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