By Ariana Gordon

President David Granger is optimistic that though currently slow, persons will come out during the course of the day to vote in the country’s third Local Government Elections (LGE) following independence.

Speaking with reporters after voting at the Enterprise Primary School Durban Backlands, the Head of State said he is not at all worried about the vote turn out. He said he has a feeling of great satisfaction that the APNU+AFC coalition has been able to deliver LGE, something that the people of the country have craved for two decades.

“I feel very happy, very satisfied that we’ve been able to deliver local democracy to our citizens.”

President Granger noted that the hosting of LGE today completes the “the circle of democratic governance in Guyana”.

Having been the first to cast his ballot this morning, the president stressed that “it is hours early yet” before persons turn out to vote in their constituencies.

“It is a working day and it is not a holiday like normal general elections. I expect that there is going to be a fairly good turnout.”

The President said he has seen much excitement over the past two months and he expects that as the day progresses persons will vote.

“I am sure even if we don’t make the 72% of the general and regional elections I think we’d be coming close to that,” President Granger added while noting that in areas where he campaigned “the mood was very electric.”

“I think in all of the areas there is going to be a good turn out; people want change and they want to be able to have the type of municipality which can give them that quality life. I am not worried about the numbers or the outcome.”

Meanwhile, the president is confident that the coalition will receive overwhelming support in Lethem, Bartica and Maburuma as the trio will have new municipalities.

“This is something we promised since 2011 and I’ve been to all three…I have campaigned in all three and they are very happy that it is the coalition that brought township …I think the coalition will have a decisive victory in all three.”

First Lady Sandra Granger called on all women to vote, noting that “women are smart enough to know that when they cast their ballot today that they are going to have a say in their own local communities because they can speak directly to their representatives.”