PEOPLE’S Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) Presidential Candidate, Donald Ramotar, cast his vote yesterday amid some tension caused by a misunderstanding at the polling station.
When he arrived at the Plaisance Secondary School, he was met by persons chanting support for David Granger, Presidential Candidate for A Partnership for National Unity (APNU).
Ramotar entered the polling station to cast his vote, and a Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) employee closed the door to the station.
This angered the Granger supporters who broke into vociferous protest.
As he left the polling station, the crowd continued chanting for Granger, and Ramotar later described their behaviour as rowdy and unfortunate.
Ramotar said he thought the GECOM staff over-reacted when they shut the door to the polling station.
Ramotar, however, noted that the process was smooth, irrespective of the fact that the polling staff did not take too kindly to the fact  that media operatives were on site.
When asked to comment on the matter, GECOM Chairman, Dr. Steve Surujbally, at a press briefing, said the decision to close the doors was not the best idea.
However, he maintained that there was no major disturbance.
Surujbally stated that despite the expression of vexation, the crowd managed to maintain some level of order.
He said that overall, there has been a laudable atmosphere of peace and discipline across the country.  
The PPP/C presidential candidate said he is confident that his party will win the 2011 elections.
“I think the PPP/C will win the elections in a big way…we have done a lot of work.  I think we will capture a lot of non-traditional votes.  The elections have been showing  more and more that the PPP/C has been getting more cross-over votes,” Ramotar said.