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