Voters turned out in their numbers across Region Six yesterday to cast their votes to select the country’s next government in a process that saw early balloting and few issues.
Rafi Clements, 69, of Port Mourant, who is a wheelchair user due to an accident that occurred some 15 years ago, was among the early voters.
Clement described voting as “smooth, quiet and peaceful,” although he did not make it into his polling station, which could not accommodate his wheelchair.
“The presiding officer came out and with my permission we discussed it with everybody and everybody agreed that I can vote outside. So then, secretly, in the corner I asked her to put the x in the required spot,” he explained.
The man further called for arrangements to be made for persons using wheelchairs to be accommodated at the polling stations.
Ryan Caesar, 21, of Alness Village, Corentyne, called the voting process `joyfullous.’ Caesar, a first-time voter, stressed that for him it was a very good experience and he spent less than ten minutes at the polling station in Manchester Village, Corentyne.
At Black Bush Polder, where some voters described the process as “easy and simple,” residents were seen gathered at various locations observing the process. A group of men who had already finished voting indicated that they were present to ensure residents came out to vote and assist with transportation, while others said they were just present to “watch what going on.”
The process was also described as smooth at Canje as well, but due to the reduction of polling locations there was a build-up throughout the day at the Rose Hall Canje Community Centre.
Persons who arrived just after 6 am indicated that they spent over one hour in the lines. However, noticeably as the day progressed the process began to speed up.
Meanwhile, in Glasgow Village, East Bank Berbice, one voter expressed her dissatisfaction with her experience. Indranie Sukra explained that she was told she had to vote at the Mar’s private residence in the area. However, after joining the line and getting to the front, she was then told that her name was not on the list and so she could not vote there. “I tell her is right here I vote the last time and she said my name is not here, that I have to go and get somebody to check it for me and I ask who to go to and she said ‘go to somebody.’”
However, after this newspaper entered Sukra’s identification card number into the polling place tool on GECOM’s website, it was discovered that she was listed to vote at the community centre instead of the private residence.
A visibly upset Sukra indicated that she would make the effort to visit the community centre later yesterday in order to cast her vote.
Regional Chairman David Armogan said the process was easy for him, while noting that persons in his line took around three minutes each to vote “which I think is a very reasonable time.”
Armogan pointed out that voters were in line before 5 am yesterday. “A lot of these polling stations, especially in the New Amsterdam and Canje area, have a long line of people, which is a good sign that people willing to exercise their franchise.”
Kim William-Stephen, Regional Executive Officer of Region Six, also reported that there was a smooth process.
Officials representing APNU+AFC and the PPP/C also indicated that voting was largely problem free.
PPP/C Regional Supervisor Zamal Hussain, who voted in the West Canje Area, supported the statement that the process was smooth. However, he noted, that there were reports of issues with stamps at various polling stations within the region earlier in the day and that those stamps needed to be changed out.
Rajendra Latchman, a Region Six candidate for The Citizenship Initiative, who also dubbed the process a smooth one, explained, that there were some reports of hiccups with ink at the Johns, Corentyne polling location. However, Stabroek News was told that the issue was resolved before 11 am.
Jevaughn Stephen, who is in charge of campaign logistics for APNU+AFC in Region Six, stated that they had not received any major reports of issues, although he did note that there were minor issues with demarcation of tents at the various polling stations.
Stephen, who voted at the Berbice High School, noted that the process was quite pleasant and that he was very excited to cast his vote.
Gobin Harbhajan, AFC member and Regional Councillor, stated that he noticed an increase in early voters. “I believe the turnout will be a 100% this election because people believe it’s now or never to choose the right person to run the country,” he said.
Chandra Sohan, of the FED-UP party, which is contesting the regional elections in Region Six, explained that the voting process seemed to be a bit slower compared to the last local government elections. His son, Ajay Sohan, who heads FED-UP’s list, noted that the process was a good but lengthy one.
The younger Sohan, who is a first-time voter, stated that it was crucial for everyone to vote since that would determine the future of the country.
Rosey Mohamed, a Region Six candidate for Change Guyana, also found the process to be peaceful. She said she traveled from Crabwood Creek to New Amsterdam throughout the day checking polling stations. Meanwhile, Calvin Brutus, Commander of Region Six, told Stabroek News that everything within the division flowed smoothly and that there were no unusual reports of anything.
Furthermore, he noted, ranks who were unable to cast their votes on February 21 had been stationed at the polling stations where their names are on the list.
