Guyanese heading to the polls

GEORGETOWN, Guyana, CMC –  An estimated 757,690 listed eligible voters are schedule to cast ballots on Monday in Guyana’s general and regional elections that officials say the results of which will not be known until September 4.

“Once we have the district declaration in place for all the districts by the evening of the third  (September) and all of those declarations get to me, by the morning of the fourth the Commission should be able to make the national declaration because I would immediately proceed to put together the results of the districts to come up with those national tabulations,” Chief Election Officer of the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM), Vishnu Persaud told a news conference on Sunday night.

In a statement on Sunday, GECOM said that it “is the only agency that is responsible for the tabulation and declaration of the results of these elections.

“This is a constitutional mandate, and GECOM is fully prepared to fulfill this responsibility with transparency and accuracy. We urge all parties and individuals to respect this constitutional provision and to await the official declarations from GECOM.

Guyanese are voting to elect a president, 65 parliamentarians and councillors for the country’s 10 administrative regions.

Persaud said equipment has already been deployed to tabulation centres and tested to facilitate the scanning and uploading of statements of poll. He said there is a contingency plan for electricity and internet connectivity.

Six parties – the ruling People’s Progressive Party Civic (PPP/C),the coalition A Partnership for National Unity (APNU), We Invest in Nationhood (WIN), Alliance For Chang (AFC), Forward Guyana Movement and Assembly for Liberty and Prosperity – are contesting the elections.

Six candidates are contesting the position of President during the elections. They are the incumbent,  President Irfaan Ali, Opposition Leader Aubrey Norton, attorney Nigel Hughes of the AFC,  Azruddin Mohamed of WIN, Amanza Walton-Desir of the Forward Guyana Movement and the leader of the Assembly for Liberty & Prosperity (ALP) movement, Dr. Simona Broomes.

There are 2,790 polling stations countrywide would be observed by 500 local and 200 international observers, all aimed at contributing to “transparency and credibility of the elections,”  the Chief Election Officer said.

There are 13,925 polling day workers. He said 11,718 staff have been employed and trained to ensure “consistency, transparency and professionalism”.

Persaud said that there are 8,700 police would be deployed to maintain order with the polling stations closing 12 hours after they were opened at 6.00 am (local time). The polls are being monitored by observer teams from the Caribbean Community (CARICOM), the Organization of American States (OAS), the Carter Center, as well as the Commonwealth.

“We, at this time, are fully prepared to conduct the general and regional elections,” he said

In her statement ahead of  the Monday’s poll, GECOM chairperson said that she was appealing to all stakeholders “to embrace the urgent need for peace and calm throughout this electoral process.

She said GECOM has meticulously planned and executed every aspect of the electoral machinery, from the distribution of sensitive materials to the readiness of polling stations across the country.

“Our dedicated staff have worked tirelessly to ensure that the logistical and administrative frameworks are robust and capable of handling the demands of Election Day. We have conducted extensive simulations and drills to identify and address potential challenges to ensure a smooth and orderly process for all voters.”

Persaud  said declarations from the 10 electoral districts would be done by September 3, barring any request for a recount.

“We, at this time, are fully prepared to conduct the general and regional elections,” he said.