Guyanese across the ten administrative regions headed to the polls today to elect a new government and the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) yesterday emphasized that everything is in place.
Hundreds began filing into polling stations all across the country from very early this morning. Although polling did not start until 6 am, lines began forming from around 5 am in many cases.
GECOM’s spokesman Vishnu Persaud told Stabroek News that all systems are in place at polling stations across the country. He said that the Chief Election Officer, Gocool Boodoo gave the assurance that everything is set for voting today. Persaud said that the official list of electors (OLE) was posted at all polling stations across the country and as far as he was aware, such was done without any difficulties. He said that security arrangements have also been streamlined and are intact. Polling day staffers are ready to carry out their mandate today, he added.
With regards to those persons who may not have uplifted their identification cards, Persaud said that while GECOM had closed the period for distribution of ID cards on Friday evening, such persons can still vote once their names appear on the voter’s list and other forms of identification match the folio which would be in the possession of the presiding officers at the polling stations today.
When this newspaper checked at several polling stations yesterday, GECOM staffers were preparing for the casting of ballots today even as members of the public made last minute checks to ensure that their names were on the voters’ list. At polling stations set up in South Georgetown, several persons told Stabroek News that they were relieved to find their names on the list. A vendor at the St Sidwell’s Primary School noted that she will be voting for the first time in 10 years and she is excited about the event.
Elsewhere in the city several persons said they have found their names on the list and will be waking early today to cast their votes for their respective parties.
GECOM’s hotline numbers were also busy yesterday as persons sought clarifications regarding their particulars. The political parties have made full use of social media to inform their supporters on the voting process including how to vote as well as contact information on where to seek assistance. The parties have also set up hotlines at their offices across the country to assist the electorate and members of the public have been making full use of the initiatives.
The parties contesting the elections were also working earnestly to ensure that their preparations for today are in order.
Elections agent at the Alliance For Change (AFC) office, Clayton Hall told this newspaper yesterday that the AFC is satisfied with the arrangements for today. He said that the party has been assisting its supporters with information on the voting process.
Hall indicated that “whatever concerns we have had about the process, they have been addressed by GECOM.” He said that the party’s representatives met with GECOM officials recently and the party has been assured that its concerns have been addressed.
GECOM Chairman Dr Steve Surujbally said on Friday that the commission is fully prepared for today’s polls. “We are ready. GECOM is ready to carry out that election mandate that was given to us by the state,” Surujbally declared.
He had said that GECOM has worked hard to address some of the glitches that occurred at the previous elections. Surujbally had also indicated that there are over 2070 polling stations country-wide.
