Long before a quarter of the votes in the 2012 US Presidential Election were counted on Tuesday night last, the incumbent, President Barack Obama had already been declared a winner in Georgetown, with 102 votes out of the 116 cast in a mock ballot.
The fun voting process was held at the start of a reception hosted by US Ambassador to Guyana Brent Hardt and his wife Saskia at their home for over 100 guests, including members of the diplomatic corps, the government, the opposition and the media, along with US Embassy staff.
The counting of the ballots, completed in record time given the geographical location in which they were cast, saw Republican Mitt Romney receiving 7 votes, while Ambassador Hardt and Gary Johnson received 2 each. S Hardt, Roseanne Barr and Thomas received 1 vote each. But perhaps the alacrity with which the results were ready had less to do with the amount of ballots cast and more with the fact that, as mentioned, Guyana Elections Commission Chairman Steve Surujbally was absent.
Guests were invited to have their photos taken with cardboard cutouts of Obama and Romney, cast their ballots and predict which candidate would win what state. In addition, campaign paraphernalia, including, pamphlets, pens, pins, fans and bumper stickers were available.
The Hardts kept everyone plied with food and drinks and as the real election results were announced on CNN, which guests could follow via huge flat screen TVs, embassy staff coloured in electoral maps in blue (for Obama) and red (for Romney).
Earlier in the evening Ambassador Hardt made welcome remarks and Prime Minister Samuel Hinds responded.
