Populace patiently awaits results of Monday’s polls
THE roadways in Georgetown were clearer than usual yesterday, and many market vendors did not show up for business out of anxiety about the results of Monday’s general and regional elections.
A visit to the Stabroek, La Penitence and Bourda Markets found that a good many of the stalls were either closed or half-opened, while the shutters on some were fixed in such a way they could be secured quickly should there be even as much as a hint of impending unrest.
Those minding the jewellery stall of L. Seepersaud Maraj & Sons at the Stabroek Market said though business was not brisk as usual, they could not complain about sales, which was more than could be said about some of the leading stores in the city such as ACME Photo Studio, Bhena’s Footwear, Regency Plaza (the mall on Regent Street), and Galaxy Photo Studio which preferred not to take any chances and decided to close business for the day.
Curious also was the fact that there was less traffic on the roads than usual, both pedestrian and vehicular, hence, it took mere seconds to get through certain streets that are often clogged with vehicles, such as in the vicinity of the St George’s Cathedral and King Street.
On the minibus and car parks around the Stabroek Market, many vehicles were seen parked and awaiting passengers, and from the look of things, they were in for a long haul as not many people were on the roads.

SCHOOL TURNOUT

School attendance in most schools was poor, as parents decided to keep their kids at home a few days as a precautionary measure just in case things get ugly when the elections results are finally announced.  
A visit to some schools around the city revealed that the few who did attend were allowed to leave early so that they could get home before dusk as transportation seems to be fast becoming a major problem, particularly for the out-of-town destinations. 
One student from North Georgetown Secondary noted that school was in session all day, but she was allowed to leave early due to the transportation hiccups. Most students who reside out of the city were allowed to go home during the lunch period.
A group of students from North Georgetown Secondary awaiting transportation at the ‘South (Ruimveldt)’ minibus park during the lunch hour told the Guyana Chronicle that while school was in session all day, they were advised by their parents to be home before the transportation ‘rush hour’.
Another student from Kingston Secondary said all the students were allowed to leave early, since not much was being done in school.