The Guyana Elections Commission (Gecom) is in possession of the ballot papers for the May 11 general elections that arrived in Guyana on Saturday evening from Canada where they were printed.
Deputy Chief Election Officer Vishnu Persaud told Stabroek News on Sunday that the systems have been put in place to ensure the security of the over half a million ballots as well as to ensure that the 10 regional ballots will be sent to the correct locations.
The ballots were brought in from the Cheddi Jagan International Airport, Timehri and are being kept under tight security by the Guyana Elections Commission.
With the Revised Voters List larger than expected, accounting for all of the ballots will be a key safeguard.
As Election Day draws nearer Chief Election Officer Keith Lowenfield explained that the Representation of the People Act makes it pellucid the categories of persons eligible for proxy voting.
Lowenfield had told Stabroek News that the act itself outlines the eligible categories noting that beyond what is listed there are no provisions made.
Section 30 (1) states that the only persons who qualify to cast a vote by proxy are persons employed on election day “as a member of a disciplined force, or as a rural constable, or for a purpose connected with the election, by a returning officer.”
Additionally, the Act states that returning officers only qualify should they be stationed in a different district other than the district in which their address is entered on the Official List of Electors.
The Act also makes provision for employees of the Transport and Harbours Department should they be engaged in running a vessel on election day.
Also entitled to vote by proxy are “those unable, or likely to be unable by reason either of blindness or any other physical incapacity, to go in person to the polling place or if able to go, to vote unaided.”
Persons out of the country do not qualify to have their vote cast by proxy.
Person who do qualify to cast their vote by proxy are reminded that the correct form must be filled out and a letter of consent has to be sent along with the eligible voter casting the proxy on behalf of the eligible elector.
