In Georgetown, there was a massive showing of voters during Monday’s General and Regional Elections, with the elderly and persons with disability beating the odds to exercise their franchise.
In Region Four (Demerara-Mahaica), 285,618 electors were expected to vote at 879 polling stations – the majority were drawn from Georgetown – the town’s capital city.
At the F.E Pollard Primary School on David Street, voting commenced promptly at 6:00hrs, but though there were lines of persons at the various polling stations, the process was “quick and easy” according to Bibi Alimon. “The process was good. I had no difficulties,” she told Guyana Chronicle. Alimon, who is no stranger to the electoral system, said spent less than 10 minutes in the line.
Forty-one Hamchand Balli also reported that the process was smooth. Balli said it was important for him to vote as his contribution to the electoral process would impact the development of the country. Lynnel Layne, who resides in Kitty, said voting, was “quick” and “easy” at the F.E Pollard Primary School. Layne said her vote was a vote her daughter, family, and community. “It is definitely important for me because it’s the future for me and my daughter and my decision here today, would definitely make a difference for her,” Layne told Guyana Chronicle. Twenty-five-year-old Mohamed Faizoul said having voted in the past, the electoral process was simply ease. He said whichever party forms the Government; emphasis should be placed on infrastructural development. Meanwhile at the J.E Burnham Primary Schools, two-elderly women were seen making their way to the polling stations. At 70, Elizabeth Alberto said it was important for her to vote in what is being described as the most significant elections since position elections. Alberto voted along with her sister Dolly Smith. Smith made a pitch for an increase pension, noting that it was important to face the electoral. Bruce Wills told Guyana Chronicle that the process said the process has been without hindrance.
Also at the J.E Burnham, 35-year-old Abigail Charles said she was excited to cast her ballot. “I am very excited to vote and I am hoping for the best. I have been praying for the nation of Guyana that God would restore us back to a place of reconciliation where other nations would depend on Guyana for help,” she told this newspaper. At the South Ruimveldt Secondary, a family of six voted. The relatives included Sivasaran Singh, Kishar Ramdial, Ganesh Ramdial and Geeta Ramdial. Ganesh Ramdial told Guyana Chronicle that he was pleased to have been given the opportunity to assist his brother Kishar to vote. Kishar Ramdial has not been well for some time.
“Today I am very pleased because this is the very first time that I get to help my brother vote and I am happy about that that,” he explained. The family said they are hoping to have the preliminary results today.
Source: https://issuu.com/guyanachroniclee-paper/docs/guyana_chronicle_epaper_03_03_2020