LGE 2018: Polls opened on time, smooth voting process reported
− Ministers Harmon and Felix encourage employers to allow staff to vote
− Govt ministers commend smooth and organised process, thus far
DPI, Guyana, Monday, November 12, 2018
Residents turned out in their numbers in the various constituencies across the country to cast their votes in the Local Government Elections – LGE. The Department of Public Information (DPI) teams are in the regions providing coverage of the voting.
All polling stations were opened on time at 6:00hrs and, thus far, the process has been smooth at the various polling stations.
Several government ministers have already voted, among them, Minister of State, Joseph Harmon, who voted at Howard’s residence, Guyhoc Park in the Georgetown Municipality.
Minister Harmon said today marks another important day in the Local Government system, “it is the second time within a short period since we came into office in 2015 that we are having Local Government Elections. I think the process is going very well.”
The minister reiterated the call for all Guyanese to come out and vote before the close of polls today at 18:00hrs.
He noted, “this is a very important election it deals with the democratic renewal of your communities and therefore you are the persons who will benefit from the quality of leadership that you require at the local level.”
Also voting at Howard’s residence was Minister of Citizenship, Winston Felix, who noted the hosting of LGE for the second time under the Coalition Government is a demonstration of this Administration’s commitment to the people of Guyana.
Similar to State Minister, Minister Felix said LGE are important to the governance of communities and the country as a whole.
“The citizens have a chance to demonstrate the democratic process by voting for the leaders they want to manage the affairs of their communities,” he noted.
Both Ministers Harmon and Felix are encouraging employers to allow their employees the opportunity to exercise their democratic right to vote in the elections.
Minister of Communities, Ronald Bulkan, told the media he is expecting more than 50 per cent voter turnout at this year’s LGE. The minister voted this morning at the Success Primary School, Eccles, East Bank Demerara.
The minister commended the smooth and organised voting process and noted citizens are beginning to have a greater understanding of what the system of local government is.
He said these elections are not about partisanship, but about citizens accepting their responsibility to engage and participate in what is happening in their communities.
Minister of Social Protection, Amna Ally voted at the opening of polls at the Palms Geriatric Home, in the Georgetown Municipality and spoke with DPI, immediately after casting her ballot.
According to Minister Ally, “this is the second one [LGE] since we are in Government and we are hoping that all of Guyana will understand the importance of the Local Government Elections and they are going to come out to vote today”.
Minister of Public Infrastructure, David Patterson, who voted at the Lion’s Club, Georgetown said the Alliance For Change is confident of its success at the LGE polls.
In Mabaruma, residents cast their votes at the Mabaruma Nursery School. Police Officer, Naomi Ross-Singh was the first to cast her vote.
Voters were turned out at Bartica East, Region Seven, Constituency Three at the Hillview Nursery School, the Hydronie Polling Station at Farm East Bank Essequibo, the Mahdia Resource Centre, Constituency one, the Corriverton Primary School, Corentyne, Berbice, among other polling locations.
Kerry Jarvis, the sitting Mayor of Lethem was the first person to cast his vote in that region.
Stacy Carmichael
Images: Department of Public Information