‘Youths must have a voice’
― young people continue calls for a fair and free electoral process
DPI, Guyana, Tuesday, June 25, 2019
At 17 years old, Elijah Henry, a prospective first-time voter was one of several youths who is of the view that every person must be allowed to vote should they choose to do so.
He, along with other youths, explained that it would be unfair if anyone were to be left off the Official List of Voters.
“Of course, it’s wrong; it’s a big wrong, so we should just try to correct it and do what’s right,” Henry explained.
18-year-old, GTI student Jamie Norvell told the Department of Public Information (DPI) that “[any election] should be fair and a fair election would basically ensure that everybody is allowed to have a right to vote.”
On the matter of not being allowed to vote because of non-registration, he echoed similar sentiments as his colleagues stating that “it would be unfair because we won’t have a voice and we won’t be able to say who we want to run this country”.
Asked whether they would you support a new list, the youths reiterated that if it was the best solution for Guyana, they would wholeheartedly recommend it.
Twenty-one-year-old Latifa Stephen told DPI: “I think there should be a new list the reason being there are persons on the list [who are now] deceased. We have to get a new list.”
Javani Fredericks, a 17-year-old University of Guyana student, said he is in full support of the new list being produced to ensure a transparent electoral process. “Yes, I would support the new list, and I would support it chiefly because I would be able to vote and a lot of other young people would be able to vote.”
Arguing that “we must do what is best for Guyana” Jamie Norvell added he would throw his support behind the preparation of a new list.
“I would support it because it’s giving me the right to vote. I’ll be able to choose who I want to see fit to run this country and help me and the next generation coming up,” Norvell said.
Images: Karime Peters