EBD records smooth voting process with few glitches

By Bhisham Mohamed, Davina Ramdass & Rupadai Seenaraine

Local Government Elections (LGE) had a slow start on the East Bank of Demerara (EBD) as small numbers of residents from the various communities approached the respective polling stations to cast their ballots.
In the morning hours, almost every polling station saw a sluggish turnout, but this changed slightly after a few hours when persons chose to appear at their convenient timings. Good reviews were heard as many got a chance to join the process without any hindrances.
At the Peters Hall Primary School, Burdetta Etwah was one of the first persons at the station as she eagerly got her name checked and proceeded to vote. According to her, voting is essential, and that right should be exercised by all eligible citizens.
The same was reported at the Providence Primary School, Eccles Primary and the Herstelling Health Centre.
Meanwhile at the Diamond Housing Scheme, a larger turnout was seen at the three polling stations there, and citizens were keen about the election process. Diamond Secondary School was visited by Caleshwar Moti, who was elated that he was able to vote.
“I get through good…This is the second time I vote because most of the time, I’m not here, but I was lucky to get here last night.”
Chetram Toolsie voted at the same polling station and expressed that he wanted to see improvements in the community as it relates to drainage and land maintenance.
Bhagwandas Mohanlall at the Diamond Nursery was among the first to cast his vote, emerging from the queue of voters lined up to cast their votes.
At the Craig and Covent Garden polling stations, turnout was seemingly low when this publication visited as no one was at these stations. The Returning Officers were present and waiting to see when the process would accelerate. The same was observed in Mocha-Arcadia, but one resident, Roxanne Armstrong stated, “We need proper things. We need development.”

Josephine Armstrong also called for her surroundings to be improved by the Neighbourhood Democratic Council (NDC) when she arrived at the Houston Primary School a few minutes after the stations were opened.
One of the worrying factors expressed by some EBD residents was the availability of polling stations on the outskirts of the main settlements. After Diamond Housing Scheme, the prevalence of polling outlets declined. Additionally, many were not aware of the location of polling stations that were set up at residences. Some were even told that their names were not on the registered list of voters and they would have to wait on the Returning Officer (RO) to verify such.

Improvement to community
Meanwhile, at the upper end of the EBD, residents of Coverden are hoping that the persons who are elected to take charge of their community and ultimately the NDC perform without fear or favour and more so, with some form of urgency to develop the area.
One resident stated that the main issue in the area was the flooding of the farmlands as a result of clogged drainage. He added that more needed to be done for farmers relating that in most instances, they were at a loss. Nevertheless, the process was quite smooth and no confusion was recorded.
A number of senior folks, who trotted over to their polling stations in Land of Canaan, EBD, said there needed to be better roads after the elections.
They said they were hoping that the candidates keep their promises and improve the livelihood of members of the community.
Although polls were opened at 06:00h, few residents of Supply turned up at the polling stations to cast their ballot.
Across at Oleander Nursery, there were reports that hundreds would have cast their ballots since the polling station opened at 06:00h.

Good Samaritan
In the midst of everyone hustling and bustling to get to polling stations, one resident of Garden of Eden, went out of his way to ensure that the elderly made it to cast their votes as well.
The Guyana Defence Force (GDF) base was the only polling station in the area, which was quite a lengthy and fatiguing distance for the aged folks to travel, hence, Ram (only name given) said he began transporting the elderly early in the morning with his minibus to the polling station.
Persons who spoke with this publication said they were looking forward to infrastructural development in the community as well as a leader who can take charge.
At Friendship, several polling stations were opened at the Safari Inn Hotel. While there, Guyana Times observed that a handful of people were making their way to cast their ballots.
Some thought that the elections would make way for the development of their communities. One woman complained that nothing has been done to curb the flooding situation in the backlands. She, however, was pleased that the access road to their homes was being constructed.
At the Friendship Secondary School, EBD, it was related that quite a small number of voters had turned out.
Clearing and collecting garbage were also highlighted as a major concern as well as the lack of street lights in some streets, with those currently in place having been privately installed. As such, residents are urging leaders to address the issue.