THE long lines at the 107 polling stations within the East Canje/New Amsterdam districts, have proven that Guyanese have the capacity to be orderly, patient and respectful.
The sounds of horns, shells, bells and alarming voices were heard from as early as 04:30hrs on Monday, alerting voters that E-day had arrived. Hundreds of persons joined the lines at the mainly school buildings as early as 05:00, although the wait was for another hour.
There were no reports of late openings at the places of poll.
Regional Chairman David Armoogan told local reporters, moments after casting his ballot at the Viola Nursery School, that the large turnout was a reflection of the major parties groundwork among the masses.
“The young, middle aged and the elderly have turned out in great numbers. It’s a good sign. People are politically conscious at this time. The major political parties had done a lot of work on the ground to ensure the voters know where to cast their ballots, unlike 2015 and the last held Local Government election when there was some chaos,” he said.
Meanwhile Regional Executive Officer Ms Kim Williams Stephen, who voted around midday at New Amsterdam Primary School, said it was important that her family cast their ballot together in an atmosphere which was peaceful, and tranquil.
Further, she complimented the local staff of the Guyana Elections Commission for their efficiency at the polling stations.
After casting his ballot at the New Amsterdam Secondary School, Deputy Mayor Wainwright Mc Intosh noted, “It’s our democratic right as Guyanese to participate in the voting process, and since local democracy would have been restored, I am overjoyed this morning to be casting my vote,” he said.
At the Tutorial Academy Secondary School, where persons were expected to cast their ballots, the process was smooth and quick.
First time voter Mia Hodge and her mother had joined the lines just after 06:00hrs, and, while the wait did not exceed thirty minutes, it was worth the wait. For Mia, her vote allows her to have a voice in the development of Guyana. Another first timer, Joel Rose, travelled from Georgetown to cast his ballot. Rose is a former resident of New Amsterdam, who is now working in the Capital City.
“I want to see further developments. I want this country to effectively manage the solid waste disposal. I need to see a clean Guyana. The process had started and, it is time for it to continue,” he emphasized.
While there were scores of youthful first timers, there were also scores of overseas-based Guyanese such as Andrew Giddings and Quincy Woolford, who insisted that their ballot would make a difference to return the government to power.
“Returning home came with a cost, but it’s my duty and civil responsibility to the country of my birth’, said Giddings.
That aside, some persons had complained of having their names listed to vote at other polling stations and within districts outside of the township, and were adamant to cast their ballots.
Ms Claudette Allen complained of not receiving the proxy letter which would have allowed her to vote on behalf of her bed-ridden mother, Inez Seepaul. According to her, after returning from overseas in October, she made a proxy vote application, but was recently told by GECOM it was not approved.
“My mother’s name is listed and although she is 85 years she is making a lot of noise. The woman wants to vote,” she said.
In the meanwhile, representatives of the various observer missions were seen entering and leaving the places of poll within the districts.
Among the observers were members of the European Union, OAS, United States Embassy,
Although the voters turned out early in large numbers, the visits to the places of poll during the day was steady.
Source: https://issuu.com/guyanachroniclee-paper/docs/guyana_chronicle_epaper_03_03_2020