This week on What the People Say we asked persons to comment on whether they would be voting at the May 11 elections and if the campaigns are addressing their issues. Here are their responses:
Julian Harte, mason,
‘Oh yes, that is a must, I must vote for the elections. I have attended two of the campaigns and they were good. I believe that they are addressing some of the issues I want to hear about. One of the main concerns though is that they must have jobs available especially for the young people. I have to travel from Mahaica all the way here at Parika just to come to work. I stay over at times but the majority of the time I travel every day.’
Shida Rahaman, pensioner,
‘I have to go out and vote like I have been doing for the other elections. I just went to one of the meetings and I think it was ok. They [politicians] talked about a lot of things and I do hope that they do whatever they promised so the country can run better.’
Mark Thomas, taxi driver,
‘Yes, I would be voting because it is my constitutional right and I have to exercise it. I have my personal choice and views, others have theirs as well and I respect that. I’ve been following the campaigns and while the parties have plans they are ridiculing each other. I think they should stress more on the plans they have for the country rather than attacking each other. We want to know what you can do for the people of Guyana; basically that is what we want to know. They should try to bring out the positives… I would like to see jobs created for the young people so that in the future they can have a stable home and their children can have good access to education and in the future we can have a better Guyana. Presently we have a lot of youth who are not up to standard educationally because of poverty and as adults we have to set that standard so that we can have people who are equipped and are professionals.’
Kevin Stephen, miner,
‘I work in the interior but I would be here to vote because I registered. I listened to some of the politicians at the campaigns and I think they have good plans. I just hope that they can try the best they can to bring further development and to provide jobs so that so many young people would not be idle.’
Roseann Sheneza Alli, waitress,
‘This is this third time that I would be voting for the elections. I didn’t get to attend any of the campaign because I had to work during that time. I would like them to focus on sending some of the Chinese back so that the local businesses can thrive. Besides, I would like this country to have a better economy; the prices are too high for basic items. People are working very hard and they need to have more value for their dollar.’
Joel Haynes, minibus driver,
‘Of course I would vote because that is a must. I don’t follow too much of the campaigns but all I need after the elections, regardless of who win or lose, is for the country to be decent, quiet and peaceful and back to normal. We shouldn’t have any situation whatsoever; we wouldn’t tolerate violence or corruption.
I have an issue with the minibus park in Parika. The vendors across the road would bring all the garbage and throw it in the park. The garbage truck would remove it one day and after that they would dump again. They would pay the junkies to do it at nights as soon as we go home. We have to come every day in this mess and it is not healthy.’
Akleema Khan, vendor,
‘Yes, I would vote because that is a normal thing for us to do. I have been voting for a few elections now. I just went to a few small campaigns when they come in my area. From what I heard they have been addressing the issues. I would like to see the garbage and drainage situations being taken under control though.’
Peter Benjamin, self-employed,
‘I am definitely voting and it would be for a change. I am confident that my party would have a landslide victory. There would be a new government and the country would be better for all Guyanese. They have been addressing most of the issues I want to hear about. I would like them to deal with the crime and the corruption to the height though. In any government where there is corruption there would be chaos and you can’t go forward. They have to get rid of the corruption and things would run smoothly.’
Bibi Nafeeza Ali, waitress,
‘I always look forward to voting for the elections and this time it would not be different. I like to exercise my franchise because it decides the future of the country. I would give my support to my favourite party. I have been to some of the meetings and I am satisfied that they are addressing some important issues. I would like them to bring down the electricity cost and maintain the infrastructure like the road so persons can have full access to using it.’
Lakhan, all-rounder,
‘Unfortunately I would not be able to vote because I could not register. They came around to register but I could not find my birth certificate. I applied for a new one I had some problems with the information. I did not attend any of the meetings because I was busy. I just want the politicians to do what’s best for the country.’
Keisha La Rose, salesgirl,
‘I plan to vote for the elections but I have not been able to attend any of the campaigns so far. But from what I’ve been hearing the politicians have some good plans for the country. I do hope that they put it into action once the elections are over. As a young person I would like to see the youth be empowered so they can uplift their lives and have a bright future.’
Falisha Awad, cashier,
‘Yes, I would go out and vote. I have been to some of the campaigns and I must say that I’m pleased with what my political party has to offer. I definitely think they would do a good job at bringing more progress to this country. We need better roads, better facilities especially in the health care system. They also need to have skills training programmes available to get the young boys off the road. For instance, they can have a job after the training or they can establish their own businesses.’