The A Partnership for National Unity + Alliance for Change (APNU+AFC) said that it is pleased with the progress of today’s proceedings which allowed for peaceful operations at polling stations across the country.
The Coaltion’s Presidential Candidate, David Granger, arrived at his polling station at Pearl Nursery School, East Bank Demerara at the opening of polls at 06:00hrs and was the first person to cast his vote at that location. In comments to the media soon after, the President described the process as very efficient and without incident and expressed his expectation that there would be a smooth and successful process throughout the day. As a sentiment of encouragement to Guyanese, the President reminded that voting is not only a democratic right but a democratic duty for all citizens to participate in the voting process and urged persons who may not have voted as yet to rethink the prospect of ensuring that they elect the government of their choice.
“Regardless of their political persuasion, they should come out and express their opinion in favour of the party of their choice. I am very confident that the Coalition which I lead will be successful and I am confident also that the process which has been put in place by the [Guyana] Elections Commission under the chairmanship of Justice Claudette Singh will be efficient. The observers are in the country from all around the world and Guyana today will demonstrate that it is a democratic country and it is capable of conducting elections efficiently and credibly in accordance with the law and the constitution,” President Granger told the media.
Upon arrival at his polling station at the Rama Krishna Primary School, APNU+AFC Coalition’s Prime Ministerial Candidate, Khemraj Ramjattan during brief comments to the media expressed confidence that there was no voter apathy and that Guyanese fully understood the importance of a peaceful election process.
“I do not think that there will be any security problems today… people appreciate the fact now that it must be peaceful and the political will of the people is going to be heard, so I don’t see any security issues whatsoever but assuming there is, I am certain the commissioner and his men will take care of it…I think the voters out there are hyped up and by virtue of all the rallies including the rallies of the Opposition and other parties, they have done everything to encourage voters to come out and I do not see any voter apathy… So I think there will be a high turnout today,” Ramjattan assured.
At several polling stations, reports received by the APNU+AFC Coalition describe a smooth and clear-cut voting process that allowed Guyanese to easily cast their vote. Initial turnout as at 11:00hrs at several polling stations was positive, as thousands of citizens showed up to vote, the party reported.
The APNU+AFC said that it commends the citizens of Guyana for coming out in full support of the General Elections.
