As early as sunrise, Upper East Bank Demerara residents turned out in their numbers to exercise their democratic right at 84 polling stations within that district for Guyana’s General and Regional Elections on March 2, 2020.

A total of 34,594 persons were eligible to vote in the Upper East Bank District starting from Diamond Primary up to Silver Hill on the Soesdyke-Linden Highway. According to the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) over 600,000 Guyanese were eligible to vote across the country. Whether it was by a bus, car, and bicycle or on foot voters turned up at their respective polling stations some as early as 04:30 hrs and waited outside until the official opening of polls at 06:00 hrs. With shops closed, for the most part, the roads were partially empty too. There was a heavy police presence and also community policing groups at the different polling stations in the district. Local and international observers were also indicating smooth polls with voters in the district. The Ethnic Relations Commission (ERC) Chairman, Dr. John Oswald Smith, and prominent businessman Roshan Khan visited several polling places along the East Bank corridor as well as local observers. The Guyana Chronicle first caught up with People’s Progressive Party Civic (PPP/C) Prime Ministerial Candidate Brigadier Mark Phillip, who voted at the Diamond Secondary School at the opening of polls. The first person to vote at the school was 94-year-old Cornelius Jacobus. “The process was  smooth this morning, I think the GECOM staff was well organised and I hope that it remains like that throughout the day. As you noticed a lot of people came out very early to vote, I myself had set the example.” Phillips said.

Meanwhile, at the St. Mary’s Primary School, Noel Archer at the age 68 said it was the first time he was voting. The block-maker of Den Heuvel, EBD explained that he was unable to vote in the previous elections due to him working in the interior, however, he came out and exercised his franchise and stressed the process was “fast and smooth”
He was followed by a 73-year-old man who suffered a stroke to the left side of his body and can walk today with the assistance of a cane. However, the East Bank Demerara resident was able to make his way to the St. Mary’s School polling place to cast his ballot. Additionally, a visually impaired woman was accompanied into the polling station by her relative and voted by proxy. Meanwhile with the aid of a presiding officer, Wilton Edwards, 55, and Bertie Marques, 88, cast their ballots at the Supply Primary School. Both men suffer from a disability. According to Edwards, the process was fair and easy. At the Timehri Primary School, a pensioner had to be carried into the polling station since her wheelchair was unable to get up the stairs. Despite dusty roads and blistering sun, a 50-year-old Timehri housewife came out and voted at the Prisons Staff Club in her neighborhood. The woman explained that with the interest of her family at heart and her community she found it necessary to do her civic duty. By midday, at Red Ground Pavilion, Timehri, 61-year-old Ovrial Johnson voted. She stressed that the process was quick since most people came out at the opening of polls and voted.

A Kuru- Kururu Secondary, Soesdyke/ Linden Highway Fitzroy January voted in the afternoon, which he explained would be a quicker process. By late afternoon most of the polling stations were empty since more persons had voted earlier in the day. The Guyana Chronicle also caught up with assistant election agent for the People Progressives Party/ Civic (PPP), Region 4, Manzoor Nadir, at the Diamond Primary School, who explained that the first two hours of the opening of polls was a bit chaotic. He noted that there was a problem with the stamps at polling stations. His party had managed to set up tents, outside of polling locations in the district which had helped persons to verify that their names were on the list.

Commissioner of the GECOM, Desmond Trotman, and while on a routine visit to Diamond was able to confirm that there was an issue with the stamps, which are supposed to be placed on the ballot paper. “What I gather from the presiding officer is that the stamps have not been working as well as it should…the presiding officer will have to include that in the E-day report when they submit,” Trotman said as he explained that that matter will be handled by GECOM.

Source: https://issuu.com/guyanachroniclee-paper/docs/guyana_chronicle_epaper_03_03_2020

…urge timely results by GECOM

INTERNATIONAL Observers, while applauding Guyana for conducting an almost seamless General and Regional Elections, underscored the importance of the delivery of timely results by the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM).

Monday’s elections, in which more than 600,000 Guyanese were listed to vote, was observed by five International Missions – the Carter Center, the European Union (EU), the Organisation of American States (OAS), the Caribbean Community (CARICOM), and the Commonwealth, in addition to 13 Local Observer groups.

OAS Chief of Mission, former Prime Minister of Jamaica, Bruce Golding, while observing the conduct of elections at the South Ruimveldt Secondary

School in Georgetown, Region Four, said the electoral process was “good” and “smooth” but noted that there were a few hitches. At the time, he had already visited almost 40 polling stations.

“There was one polling station, for example, where they discovered that no poll book had been provided and the presiding officer there was very innovative. What she was doing was making notes of the issues that would go into the poll book on some other piece of paper with the intention of transferring it into the poll book whenever that was delivered,” the OAS Chief of Mission explained.

More than one hour before the opening of polls at 06:00hrs, long lines of electors were seen at polling stations countrywide. Once the polling stations were opened, the lines grew longer particularly for the first three hours. This, Golding said, was a major concern for the OAS, explaining that a number of voters had become impatient due to the extensive waiting time. He said those mostly affected were persons with disability and the elderly.

Additionally, it was observed that at some polling stations, across the country, the verification process and the issuance of ballot papers to electors were time-consuming when compared with others. Golding reasoned that this may have been as a result of the varying levels of experience acquired by polling day staff. “Some of them have been doing this job repeatedly for several elections, some of them are new and therefore it was taking a little extra time,” he explained while noting that the OAS Observer Mission will more than likely include recommendations in its report to enhance voters’ experience when next elections are held in Guyana.

“When we looked at the law, it may be possible with some minor changes to expedite that process without compromising the integrity of the balloting itself,” he said. Overall, Golding said that based on reports that came in from across the country, the electoral process was pleasing. “I was encouraged, however, to see the level of turn out,” he posited while noting that at some polling stations by mid-day more than 50 per cent of the electors had cast their ballots. Those were positive signs, he emphasised. “Generally speaking things have gone well. At none of the stations that we visited, did we encounter any disruption; people were very peaceful, they were very orderly. I didn’t detect any tension from the persons waiting to vote although I am sure they are supporters of different parties,” the OAS Chief of Mission further added.

He noted that while the lines were long at certain locations, it was clear that the electors were determined to exercise their franchise in a dignified manner. “I think that is all to the credit of the Guyanese people; I think that they have a great deal of investment in this process, in this election, and for their sake I hope that what we have observed this morning, continues throughout the day and I hope that that same level of civility, tolerance, conscientiousness will govern the process of tabulating of the votes after the polls have closed, so that we can get results that would command the confidence of all of the people of Guyana,” he said.

However, hours after Golding had spoken to the press, there were two small confrontations among voters at Goed Intent-Patentia on the West Bank of Demerara (WBD) and at Mon Repos on the East Coast of Demerara (ECD) but the Guyana Police Force (GPF) managed to quell the situation at both locations.

Nonetheless, Golding, in his engagement with journalists, underscored the importance of the timely delivery of elections result. “It is not good to have an election on Monday and several days can pass before the people of Guyana can know what the outcome of those elections is. That is courting mistrust; it is providing fertile ground for rumours and conspiracy theories and in our discussions with GECOM we certainly urged them to do everything possible to complete the tabulation and to have the results declared as early as possible,” he said.

However, Golding said the OAS Elections Observer Mission is cognizant of the impact Guyana’s geographical layout has on the delivery of results of elections. At Eteringbang in Upper Mazaruni, Region Seven, GECOM officials were required to fly into the area on Friday, February 21, 2020 to facilitate voting by members of the Disciplinary Services. However, they experienced difficulty landing and had to return to Georgetown.

In other parts of Region Seven and Region Eight, communities could only be accessed by aircraft while in parts of Region One; communities are only accessibly by river. Golding said in those instances, time will have to be allowed for the transporting of the ballot boxes and statements of polls to ensure that they are carefully protected and their integrity, preserved. But he reasoned that while ballot boxes and statements of poll are being acquired from far flung communities, the Elections Commission can release preliminary results as they come in.

Questioned whether previous recommendations by the OAS had been implemented, Golding, in response, said not entirely. “A lot of the recommendations that were made by the OAS Mission that was here in 2015, and even the one that was here in 2011, those are still languishing and we find ourselves in a position where this mission would have to restate these recommendations because they are still valid,” he disclosed. Nonetheless, he said Guyana’s Electoral System, which is governed by the Constitution of Guyana, the Representation of the People Act Cap. 1:03, and the Election Laws (Amendment) Act, is a very robust one with the necessary checks and balances.

Meanwhile, over at the New Campbeville Secondary School, the officials from the Carter Center, which has more than 40 observers from 15 countries spread across the country’s 10 administrative regions, were seen keenly observing the electoral process. The Delegation led by former Prime Minister of Senegal, Aminata Touré; and Jason J. Carter, Chairperson of The Carter Center’s Board of Trustees said Monday’s election was a strong indication of Guyanese commitment to democracy.

“This is a big day for Guyanese democracy,” Touré said while underscoring the importance of voting. The former Prime Minister of Senegal also used the opportunity to call for Guyanese to demonstrate patience. Carter told journalists that the centre’s observers are busy assessing the elections and collecting valuable information on the process. “In a next few days we will be collecting those reports and we will be issuing recommendations with respect to this election,” he noted.

Both Touré and Carter indicated that the Centre would not disclose its findings until Wednesday, March 4, when it is expected to deliver a preliminary report. They said it was important to have a holistic view of the elections before a report is made public. This is the 5th Carter Centre Observation Mission since 1992.

Over at Six Head Gym, Russel Street, Albouystown, Head of the EU Observer Mission Urmas Paet told journalists that the EU had been monitoring the electoral process long before E-Day, and will conduct post-elections analysis now that the election has been held. The EU has approximately 53 observers in the 10 electoral districts. He said based on his analysis, voting went well for the masses. “Polling stations I visited everywhere I saw very professional attitude, and the process, so far was very smooth,” he posited.

Like the Carter Center, the EU Mission will be offering its analysis of the elections on March 4. He said the EU has taken up the mantle of observing the elections in the interest of strengthening the country’s democracy and the rule of law.

The General and Regional Elections were also observed by the Guyana Public Service Union, Ebenezer Congregational Church Foundation, AMCHAM Guyana, Private Sector Commission, Georgetown Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Canadian High Commission, Cuffy 250, The Bar Association, Transparency Institute Guyana, the US Embassy, British High Commission, Ethnic Relations Commission, and Youth Challenge Guyana.

Source: https://issuu.com/guyanachroniclee-paper/docs/guyana_chronicle_epaper_03_03_2020

THE Guyanese electorate took to the polls on March 2, 2020 to choose a government of their choice for the next five years, in what was dubbed `The Mother of All Elections’.

On the East Bank of Demerara (EBD) corridor, between Plantation Houston and Little Diamond, a total of 22, 179 voters were expected to cast their ballot at 59 polling stations. The polls opened at 06:00hrs and closed at 18:00hrs and no major glitches were reported at those polling stations where there were several first time voters.

From as early as 05:30hrs, long queues of voters were observed at the Providence Primary School, with a similar trend occurring when this publication checked the Houston Secondary at 07:00hrs. The steady trek of people to the polling stations is welcoming sign that Guyanese are taking their civic duty seriously.

APNU+AFC Campaign Manager Minister Winston Felix for the East Bank Demerara(EBD) corridor, in an invited comment told the Guyana Chronicle that as at mid-morning the voting process was generally smooth and that the turnout of voters was satisfactory. “There has been little or no problems so far, the turnout is smooth and constant, we have had a fair turnout so far at all the polling stations I have visited. Based on the number of voters at the polling stations we have a good turnout of young and old voters. It was a welcome sight to several senior citizens and other voters with disabilities, being assisted by relatives and friends so that they can cast their ballots. Around mid-morning on Monday, President David Granger who earlier had voted at Pearl Village, also on the EBD visited the Mocha Primary and Peter’s Hall Primary. At the former, the villagers many of who were awaiting their turn to cast their votes, were ecstatic upon hearing that the Head of State was expected to visit. Upon his arrival President Granger was greeted with shouts of `Granger’, `Granger’ and `Don’t Stop the Progress’ reverberated around the school and compound. Many of the villagers took the opportunity to get a handshake or a hug.

Presidential Candidate of Change Guyana, Robert Badal who voted at the Houston Secondary School, had media operatives waiting for one hour beyond the scheduled time of 7:00 hours. Displaying his inked finger, Badal in an invited comment longed for a peaceful voting and was optimistic that his party would give a good showing of itself at the polls.
Karen Forest, who is physically challenged and has been living in Mocha for 49 years, remarked as she hobbled along on her crutches, that her disability would not deter her from doing what she should rightly do. She too was elated with the President’s visit.

Imam Toric Cave of the mosque in the community and his wife, Maureen, were also part of the action and a perfect example of inter-racial union. On the day’s activity the Imam said he was very excited and longing to see our president back at the helm in a few days. As it relates to the youths in the village, the Imam said that after 2015 he has seen a drastic change, adding that it is welcoming to see that they too are excited and are a part the day’s activity.

Vashti Robertson who had returned to Providence from Kitty where she now lives to cast her vote at Providence Homes Polling Station, said the polling exercise went exceptionally well. “I thought it would have been a little more difficult but it was fine. The officers were all accommodating, “she added. Ms. Robertson, who have been living in the United States for some 40 –plus years said, as a re-migrant of just one year, her expectations are not high and that she will anxiously wait to see what will play out.

Her assistant who said he voted at South Ruimveldt Nursery where he lives said the process was reasonably smooth, with no reason for people to get angry.
An eighteen-year old first time voter of Meadow Bank, said the process was very smooth with the officials at the polling station being very polite as they guided her through the process. She admitted being very excited to exercise her constitutional right.

Source:  https://issuu.com/guyanachroniclee-paper/docs/guyana_chronicle_epaper_03_03_2020

JENNIFER BERCHNMAN, a mother of six went out and voted on Monday, with her new born baby in her arms. The baby, days old, was wrapped in a blanket as her mother braved the sunshine.

Berchman voted at the Arapaima Primary School in the Municipality of Lethem and it was her second time voting.

She had her newborn and two other children with her at the time.
The 37-year-old told Guyana Chronicle that she got out early to vote because she wanted that out of the way.

She had some errands to run before returning home, that is a short distance away, beyond the football field.

“I feel good I voted and the process was smooth,” she said.

Source: https://issuu.com/guyanachroniclee-paper/docs/guyana_chronicle_epaper_03_03_2020

NO stumbling block prevented residents of Region 10 from casting their ballots at the various polling stations on Monday. Whether they were wheelchair-bound, with crutches, with walking canes, with a young baby in a mother’s hands, or an elderly person being carried, residents were prompt and eager to get their fingers stained after putting their Xs next to the party of their choice. This was a regular feature at many of the polling stations visited by the Guyana Chronicle in Linden. Making up the long queues were many elderly persons who had to be carried or assisted by a relative. Residents with injuries to the legs were also seen walking with crutches to the respective polling stations, while others had to be lifted. Mothers did not make having a young baby an excuse to not get to the stations, as they too were seen straddling their children in blankets, some even before the opening of polls at 06:00hrs. At the Linden Foundation Secondary School in Amelia’s Ward, one of the first persons to cast their ballot was Ralph Bruce, who said he went to sleep with it in mind, that he needed to be early at the polling station, despite having a knee problem and being dependent on a walking cane. “Well I went to sleep with that on my mind; I travelled all the way from the bush to bring out some people and I woke up since four,” he said. “Let them come out and vote, if you can’t walk, let somebody lift you and bring you, every vote counts,” he said.

Mr. Leon Bremner of Coomacka, Linden, is both elderly and disabled. While he did not make it to the polls very early, he ensured that his ballot was cast before midday. Bremner, who was assisted by his wife, said it was not too difficult getting to the Coomacka Primary School, since he does not live too far away. He said that despite the odds, he believed his vote was important because he is differently abled and his vote is a choice for Guyanese in the differently abled community.

Mrs. Constance Charles, an 83-year-old resident of Coomacka, ensured that while she seldom leaves her home because of the aches and pains that come with old age, elections day had to be an exception, and she has regretted it. “I don’t know, I see everything going well, a car brought me and a car will take me back. I encourage my fellow elderly persons to come out and vote if they could make it, because I just trying,” Charles said.

Help along the way
For those having difficulty with transportation, several private citizens and party representatives volunteered their services to shuttle persons desirous of voting to the polling stations. Buses, cars, three-wheel motorcycles and other modes of transportation were observed transporting persons to polling stations throughout the day, both on the Wismar and Mackenzie shores. Former Member of Parliament Jermaine Figueira, has been instrumental in organising transportation for voters in the Block 22/Wisroc District.

Voters were also provided with refreshments for those who were forced to stand in long queues, waiting to vote. People’s Progressive Party candidate Sherry Fyfe, was seen at the New Siler City Secondary School distributing breakfast and beverages for persons at the polling stations.

Amelia’s Ward resident Anthony White, teamed up with several taxi drivers to shuttle persons to the four polling stations in the community. He said Amelia’s Ward is a very big community and residents living in far-flung areas were in need of assistance.

Source: https://issuu.com/guyanachroniclee-paper/docs/guyana_chronicle_epaper_03_03_2020

…says first-time voters

By Alisa Lashley

THE East Coast Demerara came alive at the wee hours of Monday morning as the ‘mother of all elections’ emerged in all her glory, with varying villages experiencing a parade of collaboration between the young and the old who anxiously sounded their horns while chanting well-known proverbs and also reminding fellow residents to cast their votes and to do so correctly.

However, although thousands of elderly Guyanese turned out Monday to elect a new government of their choice, it was the young people who took the forefront, in large numbers to exercise their democratic right. The Guyana Chronicle caught up with a few of those young people along the East Coast of Demerara who were eager to share their experiences during the voting process and the reasons they deemed their votes pivotal.

Ahmad Ishmael Parkes , a 20-year-old, first-time voter from Victoria, expressed that his experience at the polling station was a hassle-free and a great one. He stated: “My experience this morning was great. The voting process was made easy by the GECOM officers who ensured that I followed the correct process.” Parkes ended by stating his hopes for the electoral process to continue smoothly.

Meanwhile, 26-year-old youth leader, Anthony Samuels, noted “the voting process was very efficient, fast and basically smooth. The staff were very courteous and the entire experience was fantastic . People were up since 4:00 am this morning preparing to vote . I am very pleased with the turnout overall in regards to the youths”. Samuels pointed out that in his view, this election is indeed the mother of all elections due to the recent oil finds and that it was vital for him to play a part in deciding who manages the aforementioned resource.

Another first-time voter, 22-year-old Jamala Benjamin, stated that at first she had no interest in voting. She said her mother and other family members, however, encouraged her to turn out to vote.

“Voting this morning was simpler than I had expected and all the officers were very helpful. It was my first time voting. I chose to vote because I have learnt that it is my right to vote” Benjamin further stated.

Zoe Frank recalled her experience voting as an amazing one. She was excited as she was exercising her democratic right as a citizen. She said “the fact that I cast that ballot just gave me an entitlement to what’s happening in my country. Guyana is on the rise and I like where we are currently as a country. It is really not about race for me, but about the development and trust in a political party“.

“It was my first experience voting and it was a great one, the voting process was very easy because presiding officers made sure they helped me throughout the process”, first-time voter, 20-year-old Queenie Garraway posited. Garraway also made note of the amazing turn out of her peers.

Second-time voter, Tricia Rogers detailed: “ The voting process was very smooth and not a difficult one. Voting is my constitutional right and It is my voice, it is me deciding who I want to make decisions at state level for myself and family at large.” Rogers further expressed that she hopes every other young voter like herself voted, “because Guyana’s future is in our hands and we’re offered the opportunity during elections to set the pace for the future of our nation.”

Source: https://issuu.com/guyanachroniclee-paper/docs/guyana_chronicle_epaper_03_03_2020

DESPITE efforts of the Guyana Elections Commission’s (GECOMs) to facilitate smooth elections, there were several reported cases in which electors felt that there was hindrance to their democratic right to vote. The gravest result of these reports was realised in Mon Repos on the East Coast of Demerara (ECD) where it was alleged that an individual had attempted to vote twice.
A standoff ensued with high emotions that afternoon and police were called to the scene as supporters from each side refused to leave the particular polling place until the declaration of polls. 

At a press conference at around 20:30hrs, GECOM informed the media that it has launched an investigation into the matter in collaboration with the Guyana Police Force (GPF). Added to this, five men were arrested on Monday with arms and ammunition near a polling place in Ambrose Village. However, Chief Elections Officer (CEO), Keith Lowenfield, said that he hadn’t received any reports about the matter.

“I’m aware that in District 3, police were called out and there again I was advised that there was a standoff at Sisters Village in District 3,” the CEO said. “At another point in time we were told that there was a build-up of individuals at Patentia. Our investigations revealed that this was not so.”

The media also queried about allegations coming out of Region Two that someone may have wrongfully voted in proxy for another person. Lowenfield said that such a matter was not reported to him. There were also reports coming out of Region 3 that persons were turned away from polling stations because they were wearing political party colours.

While noting that she had received no reports of the same, GECOM Chair, Justice Claudette Singh, said that a colour without a party symbol/slogan remains just a colour. “The law is silent on colours,” she said. “We have asked the political parties to be responsible because they signed a Code of Conduct… [but] we have now 11 parties and it would be difficult to identify. The colours that people would identify quickly are yellow, green and red but they’re not so au fait with the other colours. But, if somebody goes into a polling station with those colours it would just be a colour.”

However, she noted that canvasing is a completely different act even as she reminded that the law prohibits campaigning within 200 feet of a polling place on E-Day. The CEO also responded to the fact that a “handful” of persons would have been affected by incorrect information regarding their place of address and polling place due to cross-matching issues following the recent house-to-house registration exercise and Claims and Objections (C&O).
Although some cases were alleged on E-Day, Lowenfield assured that the Commission had dedicated post-elections day efforts to remedying situations highlighted to them.

“Yes, there were instances of displacement,” he told the media. “In the case of 660,000, 25 is a handful…they’ve approached our office and indicated that we’ve displaced them and we made arrangements to ensure that they exercised their franchise.”

In some instances, persons were affected when GECOM staff notified them that their names were not on the Official List of Electors (OLE). Earlier in the day at Selman Fraser Nursery School in Georgetown, a physically disabled man by the name of Omar Cooper told the newspaper that he had visited his polling station since 05:00hrs but was being given the royal run around up and down the stairs of the building as the staff told him his name was not on the list.

Both of the man’s legs and one arm were broken in 1991 which left him somewhat disabled. It wasn’t until the Guyana Chronicle sought the help of a GECOM staff to meet the man outside of the polling station where he sat, about to give up, that the situation was rectified.
“Voting is important and I go by instruction but when I come here now, downstairs said upstairs, upstairs said go the other section. When I go there, they can’t find my name. I can’t walk all over the place,” he said.

Another elderly woman with her great grandson at the same polling station, told the newspaper that she was told that her Identification (ID) Card was too old and her name was not on the list. “I have a bad leg and I can’t [stand all day], she said. “This is madness.” Over at Diamond Secondary, GECOM Commissioner Desmond Trotman responded to queries of reporters as to whether it was okay for members of the electorate to cast their ballots with a pen.

This is following reports coming out of Friendship, East Bank Demerara (ECD) that an individual had visited a polling booth with a pen and left it there which saw many persons unknowingly using the said pen instead of the pencil provided. “I don’t think that even if those persons voted with pen it would have spoiled their votes,” Trotman said. Still speaking to concerns, he mentioned the report of Presiding Officers (POs) that some ballot stamps were not working as they should.

Source: https://issuu.com/guyanachroniclee-paper/docs/guyana_chronicle_epaper_03_03_2020

By Pastor Richard Avert James
MOST Guyanese know that the electoral process in Guyana is a somewhat significant source of anxiety or stress in their lives. The stress and anxiety levels hold true regardless of if you are a supporter of the two major parties  APNU+AFC  and PPP/C or one of the other smaller political parties.

Every election in Guyana is stressful, but the 2020 General and Regional Elections is particularly more stressful. This is especially so because of the prolonged contentious political discussions as regards Guyana’s oil industry and the fiscal terms of the 2016 agreement with ExxonMobil. And, the December 21, 2018, no-confidence motion with its related constitutional differences and discourses, to mention two of the more dominant topics. The stress and anxiety associated with the 2020 ELECTIONS have been compounded by the hours of television and radio coverage, the print media, especially newspapers, posters and banners and social media that make the stressful discourses and comments ubiquitous. Fortunately, there are steps we can use to manage and overcome election stress and anxiety. As a former President of the Guyana Conference of Seventh-day Adventists, having served two terms as an elected president from 2011 May to 2019 April, I am well acquainted with election anxiety or uneasiness about something with an uncertain outcome. What I am recommending works not only for religious or spiritual election anxiety, but also for secular election anxiety as well. Here are some of the related steps I have uncovered that are suitable to help ease stress and anxiety on E-Day March 2, 2020.

Step One: STOP worrying about who will be elected the next president of Guyana. This is usually one of the main sources of election stress. It is normal to worry, but often what you worry about might never even happen. When you have an obsession or you are continually preoccupied about who will be elected president, you are likely to become nervous and anxious on E-Day and especially as you await the election results. Quit worrying, because that would not change the outcome of the election. Rather, it can cause you to suffer emotionally.

Step Two: START praying for yourself, for the people employed by GECOM, for political leaders, for the election observers and the entire electorate. When you start to pray you will realise that you will stop worrying. Election times can be very challenging times for every one of us involved in the electoral process. But praying can make a big difference. Prayer can help us to cope with the challenges associated with election anxiety disorder.

Prayer can help us function with integrity and honesty! Pray earnestly! Pray agonising prayers! Pray to God for Guyana! Pray that our election process will be peaceable and in all godliness and honesty (1Timothy 2:1,2)!Prayer for the respected GECOM Chair, (ret’d) Justice Claudette Singh S.C.! Pray for the credible GECOM Chief Election Officer, Keith Lowenfield! Pray for the competent GECOM Public Relations Officer, Yolanda Ward! Pray for GECOM Commissioners! Pray for the party agents, presiding officers, deputy returning officers and returning officers, and all other polling stations officials! Pray for the 2,339 polling stations! Pray that GECOM staffers and party agents will operate with integrity at all times and in all places and polling stations! Pray for the political leadership of ANUG, CG, PRP, TCI, TNM, URP, APNU+AFC, PPP/C, OVP, LJP and Fed-UP! Pray for the Commissioner of Police, Leslie James and the Guyana Police Force! Pray for the Chief of Staff, Brigadier Patrick West and the Guyana Defence Force! Pray for the EU Observers, CARICOM Observers, Carter Center Elections Observers, OAS Observers, the Commonwealth Observer Mission and local observers

groups! Pray that all observers will adhere to the strict code of conduct for international and domestic observers! Pray that they will maintain strict neutrality and impartiality in the course of their work at all times!
Step Three: SHOW or demonstrate that you are willing to contribute to easing of election anxiety and stress, by going out and exercising your right to vote in a manner that will ensure that the election process will produce free, fair and credible general and regional elections on E-Day. This is one of the best decisions that every eligible voter can make to lessen election stress by exercising his or her franchise in a manner that is incorruptible and encouraging others to do the same thing. We can reduce or ease election anxiety by ensuring that we do what we can to support an election process that reflects transparency, accuracy and integrity at every polling place.

Step Four: STAND still! After you would have exercised your right to vote, it is time to go home and wait for the final results. In Guyana that can be a very stressful time and besides, that unfavourable election news can give many of us anxiety. Consequently, control the election talk with family and friends and change or adjust your social media habits while you wait on the final results. Remember what Paul the Apostle said, “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:6-7 NIV).

Pray that God will help you to accept the results, especially if it doesn’t go according to your expectation or desire.

And, remember if we all do our part faithfully, we will definitely ease the normal election stress that Guyanese experience at election time and eliminate much abnormal election stress. And, you know what ELECTIONS 2020 can become the best election we have ever experienced.

I am Pastor Richard Avert James and I have experienced the power of prayer in times of elections. Praying and acting with integrity definitely help to ease election stress. It is the secret to a successful election.

Source: https://issuu.com/guyanachroniclee-paper/docs/guyana_chronicle_epaper_03_03_2020

By Staff Reporter

…GECOM says working to make final declaration as “early as possible”
…returning Officers should have declarations by midday

AS the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) work through last evening to tabulate the ballots from Monday’s regional and general elections, the declarations from the Returning Officers (RO) should be ready by midday today.

This is according to Chief Elections Officer, Keith Lowenfield, who told reporters at GECOM’s media centre at High Street that the commission is working to have the results released as early as possible.

While he could not commit to a date and time as to when the final results will be made available, Lowenfield, who was flanked by GECOM Chair, Retired Justice Claudette Singh and PRO, Yolanda Ward, explained that, after the polls were closed last evening at 1800hrs, counting commenced at all polling stations across the country.

“It is our hope that that count will conclude in good time to allow for the statements of poll to be placed first of all at conspicuous locations outside the polling stations,” he said.
He said the next step will see the statements being uplifted by the Deputy Returning Officers and the Returning Officers. He said last night, statements which were received by the ROs will see the commencement of a “public verification process” which includes the public display of each statement in every district and that will continue until all the statements for each district are concluded. Following this, the RO will declare the results in the respective districts.

Ward provided a breakdown of the figures relative to the total number of persons who were eligible to vote as well as polling stations across the country on Monday. Ward said that 2339 polling stations across the country were operated by GECOM on Monday and according to her, some 660,998 persons were listed on the Official List of Electors (OLE).

She gave a breakdown, for each administrative region including Region One where 99 polling stations operated and 18,952 were listed on the OLE. In Region Two, there were 135 polling stations with 37,979 eligible persons listed to vote while in Region Three, 355 polling stations operated and 100,758 electors were listed to vote.

For Region Four, the largest in terms of figures, there were 879 polling stations with 285,618 electors listed to vote, while in Region Five, there were 158 polling stations with 44,663 electors listed to vote there. In Region Six, there were 378 polling stations and 99,131 persons were listed to vote while in Region Seven, there were 83 polling stations and 14,887 persons were listed to vote. In Region Eight, there were 55 polling stations with 7431 persons listed to vote.

Region Nine had a total of 73 polling stations and 17,771 were listed to vote. In Region 10 there were 125 polling stations and 33,808 persons were listed to vote. GECOM will share information on the website www.guyanaelections.com where it will provide periodic updates on results and it will also post same on the commission’s Facebook page. The commission will provide another briefing today around 09:00hrs.

Source: https://issuu.com/guyanachroniclee-paper/docs/guyana_chronicle_epaper_03_03_2020

DESPITE a few hiccups, the voting process in Lethem, Region Nine (Upper Takutu/Upper Essequibo) went smoothly on Monday, when hundreds showed up to vote in the Regional and General Elections.

Most schools and community centres were utilised as polling stations.
Although some people were unsure where they had to vote, before the close of polls, this matter was sorted out.

More mature and elderly people turned up to vote in Lethem.
Pockets of young people came out to vote at the various polling stations that were scattered in Central Lethem.

Most people were excited to vote, some said they waited hours in a line to vote and were pleased to cast their votes.

People were mobilised, transported to and from their homes to polling stations by political party agents in Lethem.
A sense of calm and peace permeated the atmosphere in Lethem and people voted calmly and went about their business.

It was observed that most people went out early to vote while others went during the day.
Voting in Lethem was organised and done in a professional manner even as people queued up in long lines for their turn to vote.

Some said there was no voter-education done, and, as such, some people were not sure which polling station they had to go to vote.

Source: https://issuu.com/guyanachroniclee-paper/docs/guyana_chronicle_epaper_03_03_2020