Disciplined Services voters urged not to feel intimidated
MEMBERS of the Disciplined Services will be invited to cast their ballots on Monday, November 21, for the 2011 elections and, in doing so, they should not feel intimidated or be affected in any way, from exercising this right. Executive Member of the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) Robert Persaud made the pronouncement yesterday, explaining that those votes will be counted as part of the national polls on November 28.
“Persons will not be intimated or feel that they are in any way affected from exercising their right, because it is a small community. We are talking about a roll of just bout 11,000 or there about. They must feel free to exercise their right and their franchise,” he emphasised.
Persaud, who is also the PPP/C’s 2011 Campaign Manager, expressed the hope that the necessary facilities will be set up to prevent, in any way, instances of intimidation at the polling stations, which would hinder the voting process.
He encouraged all those members of the Disciplined Services, who will be voting on Monday, to do so in favour of the PPP/C and reminded, too, that they are also eligible to vote on November 28, if they do not cast their ballots on the November 21.
Addressing the concerns raised over the fact that President Bharrat Jagdeo, recently, also urged them to vote for the PPP/C, while campaigning, Persaud maintained that he was doing so in his capacity as a party member.
“Despite the fact that he is Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, while on the platform, President Bharrat Jagdeo was functioning as a member of the PPP/C and someone who is supporting the PPP platform. There is absolutely nothing wrong with the President to call on members of the Disciplined Services to exercise their right and certainly to do so for the party that he represents,” Persaud insisted.
Members of the Disciplined Services, including members of the Guyana Police Force, Guyana Defense Force, Fire Service and Prison Services will vote next Monday, a week before the November 28 General and Regional Elections.
A release from GECOM, on Monday, stated that the list of locations of the 70 places which will be established throughout Guyana for the Army, Police and Prison Service ranks and officers and the Disciplined Services List of Electors are accessible on the website www.gecom.org.gy
The hours of voting by members of the Disciplined Services are 7 AM to 7 PM.
GECOM pointed out that the votes cast by members of the Disciplined Services will be sent directly to the Chief Elections Officer, in individual envelopes sealed by the members themselves, immediately after voting.