Public Relations Officer of the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) Yolanda Ward said yesterday that all was set for today’s local government elections even as the commission offered timely reminders for voters in advertisements in yesterday’s newspapers.
Ward, when contacted, told this newspaper that there had been no hiccups with the polling stations or staff and that everything was set to start promptly this morning.
In one of the notices published yesterday, GECOM rescinded a previous ad, which had stated: “the use of cameras and/or cell phones inside of a Polling Station/Voting Compartment during the conduct of LGE is strictly prohibited”. It called the previous notice, “erroneous and unintentional”, adding that cell phones were not prohibited in polling stations. In the past, voters have taken photos of their completed ballots and posted them on social media.
GECOM also reminded voters via advertisement that it was illegal to vote twice, attempt to or vote whilst not qualified to do so, or vote under false identity. Other offences on the list are canvassing for voters or interfering with an elector within 200 yards of a polling station, influencing an individual to vote in a particular way, and attempting to vote before or after polls are opened or closed for the day. Being in unauthorized possession of a ballot paper or ballot box or tampering with the contents of a ballot box are also prohibited by law.
Additionally, it is unlawful to deliberately obstruct the work of an election worker, assist a political party in gaining unfair advantage over others, and give or accept bribes for voting purposes.
This election promises to be interesting. The PPP/C, with the support of former APNU members is confident of making major inroads in opposition strongholds, particularly Georgetown.
