Region Three sees positive turnout at LGE
─ commend hosting of 2nd LGE
DPI, Guyana, Monday, November 12, 2018
Scores of voters from across Essequibo Islands-West Demerara, Region Three, turned out to cast their ballots as Local Government Elections (LGE) is held for the second time in two years in Guyana
Speaking to the Department of Public Information (DPI), young Shivanie Samlall from Parika expressed excitement with the process as she shared that is her first time voting at an election. “This was really exciting for me since it is the first time, I am participating; directly putting an ‘X’ next to the person of my choice that I want to run the affairs of my community. I will like to encourage all young people to see this as an important day where we speak with the pen on paper,” said Samlall.
Shivanie was accompanied to the polling station by her parents who also expressed similar sentiments. Her father, Harriram Samlall said that he is happy that LGE has been returned after years of dormancy prior to 2016.
At Vergenoegen, DPI caught up with senior citizen Raymond Tillbury, who commended the Coalition for returning local democracy to the country. “I don’t know if I will get the chance to vote again in 2020 because as you can see, I am getting down in my years but I can’t go without saying thank you, President Granger, for the return of local democracy.”
Candace Langivine from La Parfait Harmonie said, “this is my democratic right, something that was given to me by the country’s supreme law, the constitution and I am happy that for the second time I am able to express myself through voting. I further hope that I will be able to do so every time LGE is constitutionally due.”
Voter, Aubrey Gonsalves said: “The process has been wonderful and I have been encouraging people in my area to make sure they come out and vote early. He added, “After this voting, we expect to see good things happening in our community. Whoever you vote for, we expect people to do what is right in our village. Things have been happening wonderfully so far; people have a different perception as far as I have noticed and we look forward to good things to happen for everybody.”
Noting that she looks forward to seeing promises being fulfilled from the contesting candidates, Herma Allen said, “I have already cast my vote and I am hoping that the candidate that I elected makes the necessary improvements and development in the community.”
Following visits to Parika, Le Destin, Vergenoegen, Tuschen, Uitvlugt, Crane, Vreed-en-Hoop, Canal Polder, La Parfait Harmonie, Wales, Stanleytown and Patentia, it was determined that most of the polling stations in the region have seen positive turnouts.
“Region Three had no hiccups registered thus far and citizens are slowly but surely entering polling stations to cast their ballot.” Regional Executive Officer of Region Three Denis Jaikaran told DPI.
REO Jaikaran said, “I voted in the Essequibo Coast and then came to work … party operatives indicated to me that the pace will pick up as the day proceeds. On the coast, persons are seen going to the polling stations and every opportunity that presents itself I encourage persons to go out and let their voices be heard through the voting process.”
Also speaking to DPI was Regional Chairman Julius Faerber, who indicated that he will be spending the remainder of the day in the field encouraging citizens to go out and vote.
“Voting is not a privilege, it is a democratic right that is enshrined in our constitution. More so it is that opportunity that presents itself to us, where we speak through our vote. I will spend the rest of my day in the field encouraging everyone to go out and vote. It is important that we do,” said RC Julius Faerber.
Region Three has a total of 14 Local Authority Areas (LAAs) starting from Wakenaam and Leguan in the Essequibo River to Toevulgt/Patentia on the West Bank of Demerara. All polling stations opened on time and voting proceeded smoothly.
Polls close at 18:00hrs after which the counting of votes will begin.
Ganesh Mahipaul/Crystal Stoll.
Image: Jameel Mohamed and Ganesh Mahipaul.