Dear Editor,
Please permit me to comment on the letter titled ‘Why did Gecom change the polling day times?‘ which was published in the Stabroek News of November 14 under the name ‘Alfred Bhulai.‘
It is amazing that Mr Bhulai would raise a non-issue in the media thereby exposing himself to the possibility of being deemed a ‘loose cannon.’ His letter proves that even educated people can be sucked inextricably into black holes of absurdity. Why would Mr Bhulai think that the voting hours were changed from 6 am-6 pm on Election Day to 7 am-7 pm?
The Gecom notice publicizing the ballot places clearly indicated that this exercise was relative only to the voting by members of the Disciplined Forces on Monday, November 21, 2011. The traditional time for members of the Disciplined Services voting, since time immemorial, has been 7 am-7 pm.
Election Day is Monday, November 28, 2011 – 6 am to 6pm.
As could be gathered from Mr Bhulai’s letter, he afforded himself the time to research the timings of sunrise and sunset on Monday, November 28, 2011, but could not distinguish between the dates, times and the target electors. Further, he did not find it easier to seek clarity on this issue by making a simple telephone call to Gecom. We have noted Mr Bhulai’s explanatory statement that he chose the vehicle of the press to express his concerns, because he never received any reply to his other correspondence to Gecom pertaining to the upcoming general and regional elections. It is important to point out categorically that I have never received any correspondence from Mr Bhulai. Further, Mr Gocool Boodoo, Chief Election Officer, has confirmed that he has received no correspondence from Mr Bhulai.
In view of the foregoing please permit me to assure all concerned that on Election Day (November 28, 2011) the polling stations will officially be opened at 06:00 hours (6 am) and closed at 18:00 hrs (6 pm). Any other information on this matter must be deemed inaccurate, even mischievous.
NB: If at the hour of closing there are voters at a polling station waiting in the queue (line) to vote, the poll will remain open for a sufficient period of time to enable those electors to vote. The presiding officer will take the name of the last voter in the queue at 18:00 hours (6 pm), and instruct the police officer at the polling station to stand behind that voter.
No voter who seeks to join the voting queue (line) after 18:00 hrs (6 pm) will be allowed to vote.
Yours faithfully,
Steve Surujbally
Chairman
Guyana Elections Commission
