Lindeners respond positively to House-to-House Registration

─ regional officials, youths set example of getting registered

─ more teams to be deployed to Reg. 10

DPI, Guyana, Wednesday, July 24, 2019

Hundreds of Lindeners have thus far registered since the commencement of House-to-House Registration on July 20. Amongst them are first-time voters and regional officials, who are ensuring they set the example in getting registered promptly. Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) teams have been deployed to Mackenzie and Wismar shore to record residents for the Voters’ List.

Public Relations Officer (PRO) of GECOM, Yolanda Warde related that 10 cluster officers were established; four on the Mackenzie shore and six on the Wismar shore, respectively; these are assisted by Assistant Registration Officers and field workers.

“Everything is going well, we have had some challenges dealing with the weather; however, the teams were able to manoeuvre their way around that,” Warde related. In addition to Linden, teams have also been dispatched to Kwakwani, Ituni and other outlying and riverain communities in Region 10.

Over the coming days, Warde said more teams will be dispatched in these communities to provide the needed complement to the already existing groups.

One regional official that has already been registered is Municipal Councillor, Deron Adams who related that the process was smooth and straightforward. Adams is encouraging all Lindeners to get registered, especially young people, many of whom are first-time voters. Other officials who have started the process are Regional Chairman, Renis Morian and Mayor of Linden Waneka Arrindell.

Youths getting registered

On the afternoon of July 22, the Department of Public Information (DPI) caught up with two youths who had ensured they were registered in their communities. Reycia Nedd, from Mackenzie, said: “I’m happy that I got registered, and I am satisfied that I was a part of a process that will see free and credible elections whenever it is called. I urge all Guyanese to take part in the House-to-House Registration process to avoid being disenfranchised come Elections Day.”

Similar sentiments were shared by Andel Morville of South Amelia’s Ward Linden. “Getting registered is a must! I didn’t expect them to come to my house so quickly; everything went smoothly, I had all my documents, and I finished the process. I will make sure I vote in the next elections.”

Meanwhile, youth leaders of established groups in Linden are encouraging young people to play their part in getting registered.

Vernon Todd, the founder of For the Children’s Sake Foundation – a 17-year-old NGO, is encouraging youths to exercise their democratic right to get registered to vote and also play a role in organising their colleagues to do so.

“Between now and election day, young people can make calls, knock on doors, and mobilise their peers on college campuses and in digital spaces. I feel tremendous hope and optimism that young voters will help move our nation forward,” he said.

Founder of the Linden Youth Network, Deron Adams described the next elections as the ‘mother of all elections’. In his interaction with several young people, he urged the young voters to ensure they support the candidate whom they feel best represents their needs. “I appeal to my fellow youths, let’s not be complacent,” he urged.

During the last two months, many youths in Linden took to the streets to protest the need for House-to-House Registration.

On Saturday, GECOM commenced its House-to-House Registration process and have thus far registered over 20,000.

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