At its statutory meeting on August 5, 2025, GECOM decided not to allow voters to lodge their phones inside polling stations to protect ballot secrecy. Opposition commissioner Vincent Alexander claimed the decision was by a majority, with government-appointed commissioners supported by chairperson retired Justice Claudette Singh. Although opposition members objected to phones in booths, Alexander argued that banning phones helps prevent vote-selling tied to photographing ballots. Initially, GECOM faced pushback from opposition members due to training and workload concerns, but it agreed that photographing ballots inside booths would be prohibited. In a late-night about-face, GECOM announced a new policy restricting cell phone use at polling stations for the September 1, 2025 general and regional elections. The decision, reportedly unanimous after reconsideration, included a proposal to provide a desk for voters to lodge phones rather than collecting them. GECOM stated the measures aim to protect ballot secrecy and address vote-selling concerns, grounding penalties in the Representation of the People Act (Cap. 1:03). Implemented measures include: visible notices at entrances and inside stations; regular queue announcements to turn off phones; retention of voters’ identification documents until after voting; strategic placement of voting compartments for observation; and a designated desk for phones. Any observed attempt to photograph a ballot will trigger an alarm, a formal note, and a police report. A designated phone desk will be used to keep phones in sight during voting, ensuring privacy and vigilance. The commission emphasized that vote-selling is a serious offence with penalties (G$65,000 fine and up to six months’ imprisonment) and urged voter cooperation to uphold election integrity. (Kaieteurnews)