Voters turned out in their numbers and early yesterday, some queuing up since before 5 am at various polling places. And while young voters were expected to take the spotlight, the elderly and the differently abled were highly visible throughout polling.
Many voters in South Georgetown made an early start yesterday, lining up at polling stations as early as 4 am and by 11 am many of the initial large crowds and long lines were gone.
From all indications, there were no glitches as persons this newspaper spoke with at polling stations stretching fromTucville to Agricola said that the process went smoothly with much assistance from the polling staff. The elderly, pregnant women, women with children and the disabled were given priority.
When this newspaper began visiting polling stations around 10.15 am there were no more than ten persons in most while others had none.
At that time, the Turning Point Snackette in Tucville had a handful of persons who were being attended to by polling staff. Over at the Tucville Primary, a few persons who had already voted were congregated outside. There were no voters inside, this newspaper was told.
One man, proudly displaying his finger, said he spent only a few minutes in the polling station. He said the process with smoothly and he had no complaint to make.
At the Municipal Health Centre, Festival City, the only persons present were the polling staff and the uniformed police officers.
When Stabroek News arrived at South Ruimveldt Nursery, persons had surrounded a woman who was checking to see if her name was in the list.
A little further on, an elderly woman was being pushed in a wheel chair. Henrietta Shepherd, 71, of South Ruimveldt Park had just left the nearby South Ruimveldt Secondary School after casting her ballot.
Proudly displaying her stained right index finger, she said that she decided to come out and vote, because “I want better conditions, we need better conditions.” She said that she had no difficulties and as soon as she arrived she was able to vote. “I did the right thing,” she insisted.
Long wait
Claire Thomas and her daughter Barbara ensured that they cast their votes yesterday. Thomas walks with the aid of a walker while Barbara is disabled. The two were walking along Aubrey Barker Road, South Ruimveldt. Barbara, who recently sprained her right ankle, also had trouble walking.
Thomas said that they were made to wait for over 45 minutes after the polling staff did not have the documents which would have allowed her to vote for her daughter. “That is terrible. This is an area that has lot of persons with disabilities,” she said adding that when she left the location there was a woman waiting in a wheelchair and others. “I mean it is disgraceful,” she said explaining that the presiding officer told her he was given four copies of the document that she needed. She said she had voted for her 43-year-old daughter on many occasions without any problem. “The poor man [presiding officer] went all round trying to borrow forms,” she said, explaining that she had to take an oath which would enable to vote on her daughter’s behalf.
Meanwhile South Ruimveldt Gardens’ resident Terrence Corlette said he spend about “a minute” in the Dynasty Club and “it seems like everything is going very, very nice, smoothly, no problems.”
He said that when compared to the 2006 elections, this year the process is better organised. “Security everything was in place,” he stressed.
All was quiet at the Alexander Village Old Mosque, West Ruimveldt Primary School and David Rose Health Centre.
The Fraser family who voted at the East Ruimveldt Secondary School said that persons started lining up since 5 am and by 10am “the crowd had eased down and then it started going very slow”. This newspaper was told that when the elderly went to the location to vote, they were lifted up the stairs since “they really can’t climb the step” and back down again. This newspaper was told that the objective was to get everyone to vote.
A representative of the family stated that this year’s election was better organized than 2006.
Voting at the St Ann’s Primary School Agricola was paltry when Stabroek News visited around noon. Agricola resident Hutton Mars, who had to open the school for the Gecom workers, stated that he woke up around 3 am. He said that by 4 am, persons had already started to line up at the school. He noted by 10 am there was no crowd, but noted that as the day progressed a few people trickled in. Mars said it is being ensured that every villager votes.
This newspaper did not see any voters at Houston Primary, St Sidwell’s Primary, Selman Fraser Primary in Albouystown and the Ketley Primary School.
Before midday, this newspaper went to several of the polling stations in South Georgetown, Alberttown, Kitty, Campbellville, East La Penitence, D’Urban Backlands and Wortmanville. Some of the polling stations were not located in schools but at the lower floor of homes.
At some of the polling stations, Stabroek News witnessed the presence of foreign and local observers.
This newspaper found that in only a few of the polling stations visited did the lines extend into yard and onto the road. This was the case with one polling station in Wortmanville, where the line extended to the road in the sun. At two of the polling stations differently abled persons and elderly persons were being assisted so as to be able to cast their vote.
Later when this newspaper visited these polling stations, officials stated that at the end of the counting of votes, the Statement of Poll would be placed in a conspicuous position outside the polling station so as to be open to scrutiny.
At the close of poll the locked gates of several polling stations this newspaper visited were being manned by a uniformed police rank. This newspaper noticed large crowds congregated outside most of them and residents could be heard saying that they were sticking around to find out the results.
At several of the polling stations, polling staff could be seen through open windows counting the ballots while at others, they were having dinner or just having a chat.
Meanwhile, checks at other polling places in the Kingston and North George-town areas, found that most closed on time and there was no person waiting in line at the close of polls.
East Bank
Demerara
Visits by this newspaper at polling stations in the area saw families, friends, relatives and neighbours lining the entrances to the polling stations at around 6 am. This newspaper visited a few polling stations from the Timehri area heading north along the EBD to Houston and voters noted that the process was smooth for them.
At the start of the polls, residents of Herstelling, Farm and the squatting areas aback the two communities congregated at the Providence Nursery School to vote. While persons experienced difficulties locating their names on the voters lists, polling day staff and voters provided help to those who were unsure.
At the Diamond Secondary School, which housed 12 polling stations, large numbers of persons lined the roadways at sunrise yesterday. Most voters declared their eagerness to cast their ballots. There were a few hiccups, a few voters noted, as some persons could not determine at which polling station within the compound they were expected to vote. These issues were later rectified as elections staff provided assistance.
As the morning wore on, the lines of voters began to peter out and by lunch, persons who trekked into the secondary school compound at various intervals told this newspaper that they preferred to wait until the lines subsided to cast their ballots.
In the Mocha Arcadia area, residents of the community and nearby Barnwell voted at the primary school and the community centre in the area, both buildings located in the same compound. Voters told this newspaper that they were ably assisted by the Gecom information clerks who advised them where to vote.
At the entrance to the polling stations, two groups of persons, who represented the PPP/C and the coalition APNU, sat opposite each other as they provided information to the general public on where they should vote.
Farther north at the Timehri Primary School, which housed five polling stations, the lines tapered off around 10 am but voters continued to arrive in numbers as the morning progressed.
At Soesdyke’s St Mary’s Primary School, voting was progressing slowly early in the day and according to a young couple, they travelled from their West Bank Demerara home earlier in the morning in order to vote. The couple noted that they were voting for the first time, and according to the man, he believed that it was his civic duty to vote and contribute to the country’s future.
This newspaper visited several polling stations at around 6 pm and the gates leading to the compounds were securely manned by police officers while the ballots were being counted.
West Dem
Stabroek News visited polling places on the West Coast and West Bank Demerara, including at Stewartville, Meten-meer-Zorg, Leonora, Anna Catherina, Cornelia Ida, Vreed- en-Hoop, Den Amstel, Crane, La Grange, Nismes, Patentia, Bagotville, where voters were anxious but patient and courteous to each other. There was evidence of police and members of the local community policing groups present at each polling place. They too were courteous as they executed their duties, maintaining order and an efficient flow among the people.
Around 10 am most of the polling places had few voters, since the majority of them voted early in the morning.
At the Vreed-en-Hoop Primary School, there were some voters whose names did not appear on the official list of electors and their vocally vented their frustration. When Stabroek News attempted to speak to some them they stated that they did not want to talk but wanted to vote instead. They were subsequently able to cast their ballots as it was discovered that they were at the wrong polling stations. A call to Gecom’s Command Centre rectified the situation.
At La Retraite, many voters stuck around, saying they would not go home until the ballots were counted.
In the evening, many other persons joined them. Among them were some elderly persons, who refused to go home until the winner was called. “We ain’t going home tonight until de vote count, if it means sleeping out here that ain’t no problem,” one said. Some of the residents lit a fire and started a “victory cook out,” among themselves.
One voter said, “This is one serious election so we as a people got to play we part, ’cause we are the ones who can bring a change.”
Leroy Levans, a regional candidate for Region Three, said in the evening, that most of the day’s activity went smoothly. He said that the people were very enthusiastic and determined to vote. “I have never seen people with a passion like today to cast an early vote,” he said, while adding that the even differently-abled showcased their interest and independence to cast their own ballot. “I heard a disabled man saying “I want to put my X for myself, I don’t want anybody to do it for me,” he noted.
The day ended on the peaceful ground that it had begun however with pockets of people who had gathered outside the polling stations debating among themselves who they thought would be the next president of Guyana.
East Coast
Demerara
As this newspaper travelled between Mahaica and Industry, voters indicated that they had not experienced much difficulty during the voting process, which most described as very brief.
Many elderly persons, determined to vote, made their way to the polling places. This newspaper met several persons on crutches and in wheelchairs who journeyed to exercise their franchise.
Among them were sisters Sheila Benn, 85 and Constance Adams, 80, as well as Beryl Watson, 80, and Cleopatra Collins. They were all escorted by a minibus driver and conductor, who assisted them in the process. They cast their ballots at the Victoria Primary School.
They later told this newspaper that voting was very good, since they did not have to endure a long line, making it a quick and easy process.
Winston Rodney, 62, who was seen as he was making his way to a taxi with his walker after voting at the Halsington\Grove Neighborhood Democratic Council building, stated that everything was in order at that location.
“On the East Coast everything is okay. People here start at the crack of dawn, so at this time (noon), everything is quiet,” a man who was accompanying Rodney relayed.
The polling places at Mahaica Primary School, Ann’s Grove Secondary School, Paradise Primary School, New Friendship Nursery School, Annandale Secondary School, Lusignan Primary School, Seu Singh’s Residence at Mon Repos, Chateau Margot Primary School, Montrose Primary School, Plaisance Nursery School and Industry Health Centre were also visited.
Persons at these locations described their experience as peaceful and smooth, and with no complaints. There were several instances, however, where some persons were registered at a certain area, but they were unable to find their names on the lists. In order to prevent these persons from going home without being able to vote, Gecom officials were called upon to check the master list and usually the voters were directed a little distance from the place of registration.
East, West Berbice
There were minor hiccups at some polling station in the East Berbice/Corentyne locations, but generally, the day was peaceful. Heavy showers during the afternoon hours dampened the mood of those still undecided as to whether to cast their ballots.
In New Amsterdam, residents were awakened shortly after 4 am to shouts of, “Wake up and vote,” as political agents rode through the streets.
The older adults were among the first to respond to the calls, leaving their home moments before dawn, and proceeding to their respective polling stations.
Because of the many locations opened for polling, there were rarely long lines seen, except at the opening of polls.
A trip throughout the coastline revealed residents going about their business in a peaceful manner. While some were eager to cast their ballots, others were undocumented, whilst others were not too interested, preferring instead to ‘take a drink with the boys’.
The Canawaina Ferry Service between Guyana and Suriname operated its lone 9am trip, with mainly foreigners leaving the local shores. Some youths at Number 78 Village were seen sitting idly at the sea shore. When questioned as to whether they had voted, they replied, “We do no see it as important, as we still have to work for a living.”
However, the elderly were observed entering and leaving their respective polling station with their right index fingers stained.
Further down the coast, reports surfaced that a presiding officer was ordering police ranks to stay 200 yards from the polling station.
At Berbice High School, just after midday, it was reported that Gecom staff reportedly escorted the Joint Service ballot boxes without the necessary documentation, resulting in a police rank at the location, contacting superiors at the Central Police Station.
Consequently armed ranks arrived, drawing attention to themselves. In the interim, party agents at the Princess Elizabeth Street location had contacted their respective parties, which subsequently verified the authenticity of the serial numbers affixed to the boxes.
Meanwhile, a marked Organization of American States (OAS) vehicle was seen travelling along the Corentyne coastline, while Commonwealth Observers were seen leaving the Bohemia Polling station.
A source, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said the Gecom staff was excellently trained and out of 12 polling stations visited, just one was observed to have had the need to make a minor adjustment.
First time voter Kenisha Deene of Fyrish Village, was elated to have exercised her franchise. “I feel good for just being given the opportunity to vote,” she said.
Paraplegic Seesankar Puran did not allow his disability to keep him indoors. The Tain villager got into his wooden scooter and wheeled himself through the potholed street. When he encountered difficulty in his mobility, eager villagers lifted him into the polling station. As he emerged, he proudly lifted his index finger as an indication that he had indeed voted.
Wheelchair bound Somra Phulmoni said her vote can make a difference despite her being 95 years old. She was taken, by her daughter, Sati, to cast her ballot and said she was pleased with the professionalism and efficiency of the polling day staff. In addition, she said, because there were many polling stations, the time the electorate would have spent lined up had been drastically reduced.
There were no reported incidents at East and West Canje, or on the East Bank Berbice at the close of polls.
There was a smooth process and exceptional calm in the West Berbice yesterday as persons turned out at the various polling stations to exercise their franchise.
Many chose to go as early as 5 am to wait their turn because they wanted to “get it over with” while others wanted to be among the first to vote for the party of their choice.
A first time voter told Stabroek News that he felt proud that he was part of the process that would decide the country’s future. He said after following the policies and programmes of the political parties, he was sure that he had made the right decision. He hoped that whatever the outcome of the results, the leaders would respect it and “look at the interest of the people… This is not just about power; it is about serving all Guyanese, regardless of colour or creed.”
This newspaper encountered members of a family who left home around 6 am “before having breakfast or doing any housework” to cast their ballots together. They said the process was easy except that there was a slight delay at the polling station because the Gecom staff felt that “something was wrong with the ink. We had to wait about half hour before we finally got to vote.”
According to a family member, “This is a case where the polling staff were not educated enough about the ink. I think the delay was unnecessary.”
An elderly elector said when he got there at 6.20 am, some persons had already voted but the process was closed for a while because “the ink wasn’t working.” He said they had to go to the elections office in the area to verify and it was only then that they realized that when the ink dries, the stain would get darker.
In another area, an elderly couple held hands as they went to cast their ballots. They recalled that over the years they had always voted together and despite their age they still made an effort early in the morning to exercise their rights once more.
There were also party volunteers who went around to homes to ensure that persons who were eligible but helpless due to illness were not disenfranchised.
A woman who suffered a stroke said she was grateful that the volunteers helped her because she could not have left her home on her own. A young man who sustained a deep cut to his foot and was unable to walk was lifted to the vehicle, which took him to the polling place.
Many of the voters came out of the polling places smiling and according to one woman, “after all the political rallies and competitions with the party ads and the build up of tension, my vote was cast.”
She said too that she was pleased that “the place is so peaceful; you wouldn’t even know it is elections. I just hope it remains this way after the results are out. I am confident that it would though because we are civilized people….”
Meanwhile, regional coordinator for the Alliance for Change (AFC) told this newspaper that at first some of his party members were not allowed to enter the polling places although they had legal documents.
Bartica
At Bartica, some persons voted very early in the morning, while others turned up close to the close of poll, but the process was smooth and orderly throughout.
A few voters related that they were unable to find their names on the list of electors after going through all the necessary steps to have their names there.
At Polling Station #722243 (B), Kenneth Williams’s residence in Bartica (West Central) there was one hiccup in that some limers had entered and nothing was done to have them removed.
Persons in the Upper Demerara/Berbice district who voted at polling station #011223 (Monkey Jump Sports Club) said that the process was a smooth and hassle free one.
(Mark McGowan, Gaulbert Sutherland, Zoisa Fraser, Johann Earle, Abigail Semple, Shabna Ullah, Marcelle Thomas, Frances Abraham, Roxanne Clarke and Lakhram Bhagirat)
