…Corentyne youths
By Nafeeza Yahya
IN what was described as a smooth and quiet day in East Berbice-Corentyne, many young voters turned up in their numbers to help elect their next government with the hope that the many promises made during the campaign will be fulfilled.
The youths were seen queuing from as early as 06:00hrs at the polling stations, while many others, even after they finished voting were seen trying to mobilise their peers to get to the polling stations early.
At the Kildonan Primary School, the first person to vote at 06:00hrs was 23-year-old Colin Moore. The young man, no stranger to politics having held the position of Chairman for the #28/Bush Lot Adventure NDC District, explained that he wanted to get his vote in early so that he could demonstrate to his peers the importance of voting.
He continued that the entire process was smooth, simple and empowering; as such, he can now go out and explain to his peers what to expect when they go out to vote. “I felt empowered to be a part of history and want my fellow youth to have this same feeling. I now can safely say the whole process took less than two minutes and is very simple. I am going to help ensure all the youths who are registered in my community to come out and do the same as early as possible.”
There were 482 electors on the list at the Kildonan Primary School and by the end of the day over 90 per cent had exercised their franchise. Two first-time voters, Alex Persaud and Omar Tulsie, both 18 and 19 of Moleson Creek were very excited to be part of the process and are hoping that whoever wins, they will be able to deliver to the people on their promises.
“I am very excited as a first-time voter; I am happy my vote can help the party of my choice and I do hope if they win that all the things they promise to do that we can get them.” Usha Cyril ,18, of Ankerville, Port Mourant, was all smiles as she walked out of the polling station at the Berbice Islamic School. She explained that her parents have for the past few months been talking non-stop about the elections and now that she was able to vote for the first time, she finally understands the overwhelming feeling they described.
“I now understand what my parents were talking about; I was so nervous and excited I felt like I was going to make a mistake and spoil my ballot, but I held my nerves and I voted like a boss. I am so happy I can’t stop smiling, I feel like I won something, I can’t really describe how I feel but I know I can’t stop smiling and looking at my finger.”
The young lady like the other younger voters is optimistic that her party of choice will win and all Guyanese will be able to benefit from their policies. The elderly were not to be left behind nor outdone by the youths as they too came out in their numbers to vote. Many came with their spouses and other family members as they took to the polls early. Merle and Patrick Robeiro of Adventure village, 63 and 70 years respectively, came out at the crack of dawn and were done by 06:30hrs. The couple said they have been voting together for the past 42 years and said they will continue to do so as long as life permits.
“We have been doing this together for over 40 years now and we know that whoever we voted for is the best candidate for us. We hope that they win and we as Guyanese will enjoy the benefits of the oil and other resources. We are urging all families to come out and vote together and help elect their leaders.”
Over at Number 48 village, Roshinie Ramjattan, 79, the mother of Minister of Public Security and prime ministerial candidate for the APNU+AFC, Khemraj Ramjattan, said she went early in the morning to cast her ballot along with other family members and came back home to relax. When the Guyana Chronicle visited in the afternoon she was busy interacting with her son who had stopped briefly.
She expressed optimism that the coalition will be returned to power. Meanwhile, the minister expressed satisfaction at the electoral process that he witnessed in Region Six and is confident that the coalition will emerge victorious at the end of the polls.
“I know the support here in Region Six has traditionally been with the PPP, but I can say from what I have seen that the verve with which they had is not seen anymore. I am still confident that we can win by a four-seat majority. The process was smooth, calm and orderly and I am anxiously awaiting the results later in the evening.”
Meanwhile, throughout the day, a number of observers were seen at various polling stations across the region; those who spoke with the Guyana Chronicle commended the voting process in the region.
Source: https://issuu.com/guyanachroniclee-paper/docs/guyana_chronicle_epaper_03_03_2020