Though the official declaration of results of Guyana’s general and regional election is likely to be today, thousands of Berbicians continued celebrating yesterday after receiving the preliminary results.
After the announcement of preliminary results signaled an APNU+AFC alliance win on Thursday, celebrations started in sections of Berbice such as the West Coast, Central Corentyne and New Amsterdam. Yesterday hundreds engaged in a motorcade, which started from New Amsterdam and went to all the way up to Skeldon. The party of supporters returned and assembled at Fyrish, where they interacted with each other.
The supporters in the various areas were decked out in colours of the coalition and declared that they were celebrating a new government after 23 years. The PPP/C has been in power since 1992.
Meanwhile, in communities that are PPP/C strongholds, the atmosphere is different. Many are low-spirited while some are fearful. And although some have accepted the results, others support the call for a recount.
As the motorcade drove through the villages yesterday, they picked up supporters along the way and many were heard shouting, “Granger!” “Moses!” “Freedom!” and the campaign slogan, “It is time!”
On Thursday, many from Central Corentyne district braved the steady rain and celebrated. They paraded from Whim to Adventure on the Corentyne public road with flags and posters.
The trucks and other vehicles blasted the coalition’s theme song “It is Time” along with Bob Marley’s “One Love,” Eddie Neblett’s “Love and Unity” and Michelle Williams’s “When Jesus Says Yes.”
Supporters hugged each other on the road and danced to the tunes blasting from the boom boxes that were elevated on trucks.
Last evening at Fyrish, where everyone turned out in their numbers, one woman told Stabroek News, “This is the Guyana I want to see… People are in unity and living as one and I want this to continue.” Another coalition supporter, Leroy Davis, told Stabroek News that he is waiting on the official declaration of the results but said that he is happy that tension and fear in the air is eliminated. He stated that in the days after the elections the atmosphere in the country was kind of depressing but he is happy with mood the country in now.
A young supporter who voted for the first time told Stabroek News, “I am happy I vote… I have never see Guyana like this… My vote was counted.”
Other supporters who spoke briefly to Stabroek News said they are celebrating in peace and unity and called on others to join
them, no matter what party they are from. “Right now we just want to live as one,” a man who was nearby interjected.
Last evening as the supporters converged at Fyrish, lawmen were busy directing traffic as a result of persons on the road and the heavy traffic jam.
Apart from the celebration, many expressed joy with the APNU+AFC win. In cars, buses, street corner gaffs, work places, barber shops and on the public road in Rose Hall Town and other areas, the win was all that was being talked about with excitement.
Many persons who were part of the conversation, objected whenever the coalition was referred to as the PNC. They declared that the PNC is no more as the coalition is a party for the people.
