The People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) last night condemned the recent decision of the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) to reduce the number of Polling Places especially in the Party’s strongholds.
In a release, Freedom House stated, “We consider this latest development as yet another attempt by GECOM to frustrate voters, suppress and hinder voting and create possible confusion on Elections Day.
According to the PPP/C, after its Elections Agent, Zulficar Mustapha, wrote to the Chief Election Officer (CEO) requesting the revised list of Polling Stations, it “belatedly” received the list on Monday 17th February. Upon receipt of the list, the Party says it made a number of objections and proposals and also met with CEO Keith Lowenfield to express its concerns and to explain in great detail the “unnecessary hardships” GECOM’s decisions would cause.
At the meeting, the Party says, a commitment was given by Lowenfield to consider its proposals with a view to making the necessary adjustments but however, “To our utter disappointment all, except one of our proposals, were rejected by the GECOM without any proper reason or explanation.”
The PPP/C said that GECOM proposes to use 2,339 polling stations in 2020, a mere increase of 40 polling stations, in comparison to the 2,299 polling stations used in 2015, even though, it reminded, there is a significant increase of almost 90,000 electors in 2020, when compared to 2015.
“We consider this to be an undue fetter imposed upon the rights of the Guyanese voters to exercise their franchise freely and it constitutes a hindrance to the expression of the Guyanese electorate to exercise their democratic right to vote in a comfortable manner and in an accommodating environment”, the Party lamented.
Further, it accused GECOM of “discriminatorily and unfairly” applying the decision to discontinue the use of private residences since, it claims, there are many private residences being used in Georgetown and along the East Bank of Demerara as polling stations.
The PPP/C listed areas where it felt that GECOM actions were not in the Party’s best interests and highlighted its claims and concerns. These areas include:
Mon Repos, East Coast Demerara – with almost 7,000 electors, GECOM has reduced the number of polling places from ten to two, eliminating completely all private residences, while cramping all the polling stations into two schools situated at the same location – this will definitely result in confusion, frustration and will keep voters in lines for several hours. In addition, voters would have to travel miles to arrive at these polling places.
Lusignan, East Coast Demerara – one polling place is located at the Lusignan Prison, located over a mile in the deserted backlands from where the closest voter resides.
Annandale, East Coast Demerara – again no private residences are used and the entire community would have to vote at three schools, adjacent to each other, at the northern end of the village.
Chesney Village, Region Six – residents will have to traverse over two miles to the polling station instead of voting in their own community as was the case in previous elections. Yet there is a public building in Chesney Village but the place where they now have to vote, two miles away, is a private residence. “This simply does not make sense.”
Railway Embankment at Foulis, East Coast Demerara – the decision to use tents is “preposterous” since it will lead to traffic congestion and can “excite” security concerns.
La Grange – There is no polling place in what is a very populated community and the residents are expected to vote in the neighbouring village of Bagotville, which is known to be an APNU stronghold.
The Party added that while the list is not an exhaustive one, they see it as presenting sufficient evidence for it to conclude that there may be a deliberate strategy by GECOM to “displace voters and create confusion on Election Day.”
Additionally, the GECOM website was accused of misleading voters with regard to their polling stations. Residents of Felicity, East Coast Demerara, it claims, are now informed via the GECOM’s website that they are voting at MMC Parking Lot (tent). However, the PPP is insisting that this polling station is not on the list of Polling Places that were given to it and it was never identified to be a polling station. The Party says it is concerned because this is just one such case that was brought to its attention but there could be many more such instances which will “create chaos and confusion.”
In light of its concerns, the Party is calling upon GECOM to “eschew” its current posture and to adopt one which facilitates and encourages “smooth and peaceful voting by the electorate in an environment that is safe and comfortable.”
The PPP/C is also calling on the technical advisors from the Commonwealth, IRI, and Canada, all the election observer teams in Guyana, the diplomatic community and civil society organisations to take note of its concerns as part of the efforts to ensure that the Guyanese electorate gets a “free and fair opportunity” to exercise their democratic right to vote on March 2, 2020.
