Prime Minister Mark Phillips on Monday defended the appointment of former Deputy Chief Elections Officer Aneal Giddings as Guyana’s Data Protection Commissioner, declaring that he is “more than qualified” to hold the post as the country moves ahead with the rollout of the national electronic ID (e-ID) card system.
Phillips made the remarks while responding to questions from political commentator and opposition parliamentarian Professor David Hinds during the consideration of the 2026 budget estimates in the Committee of Supply of the National Assembly.
Hinds questioned the government on the progress of the e-ID rollout and asked how many cards have been produced so far.
In response, Phillips disclosed that 7,500 persons were enrolled in the system and approximately 4,600 electronic ID cards have already been issued.
Hinds also pressed the Prime Minister on who has custody of the data being collected and the official designation of the persons responsible.
Phillips explained that the Data Protection Commissioner is the official overseeing the process, supported by staff.
However, Hinds raised concerns over the legality of collecting identity data since no commencement order has yet been issued for the Digital Identity Card Act 2023 and the Data Protection Act 2023.
Phillips responded by stating that both laws have already received presidential assent and are validly enacted. He said the government is currently operating in a pilot phase under executive authority, allowing the necessary infrastructure to be tested before full activation through a ministerial commencement order.
According to the Prime Minister, the pilot phase is voluntary, and participation is based on informed consent.
He further explained that the system is not collecting new information but is consolidating data already held by the state through agencies such as the General Register Office (GRO), the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA), and the Immigration Office.
Phillips also pointed to the appointment of the Data Protection Commissioner on January 2, 2026 as evidence that oversight mechanisms are in place and operational.
During the exchange, Hinds questioned whether Giddings meets the legal requirement under the Data Protection Act, which states the commissioner must be a person of eminence with broad knowledge and experience in law, science and technology, management, governance and administration.
Phillips dismissed the criticism, stating, “Mr. Aneal Giddings has satisfied all the requirements outlined by the Honorable Member and beyond.”
Opposition MP Ganesh Mahipaul later asked about the salary and benefits attached to the position.
Phillips disclosed that the Data Protection Commissioner receives a basic monthly salary of $1,320,000, along with multiple allowances covering housing, entertainment and phone expenses. He also stated that the commissioner receives a vacation allowance equivalent to one month’s salary and a gratuity of 22.5 percent paid every six months.
Meanwhile, opposition MP Tabitha Sarabo-Halley raised concerns about whether public servants were coerced into signing up for the e-ID system, alleging that some were told they would not receive cash grants if they did not participate.
Phillips denied receiving any reports of coercion and urged anyone with evidence to report the matter to the relevant authorities so an investigation can be conducted.
He praised public servants who participated in the pilot programme and described the e-ID system as a major step toward modernizing Guyana’s public services, arguing that the card will make access to services more efficient.
In response to further questioning, Phillips clarified that the new electronic ID card will not replace the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) ID card for voting purposes.
He stated that citizens will still be required to use their GECOM-issued identification to vote and to remain on the voters’ list.
Giddings, who previously served as GECOM’s Information Technology Manager and later Deputy Chief Elections Officer, is widely known for his work in national registration systems and ID card production, and is now expected to play a key role in the national data management framework as the government accelerates its digital transformation agenda.
The post Aneal Giddings ‘more than qualified’ to be Data Protection Commissioner overseeing E-ID card rollout appeared first on News Room Guyana.
