AUBREY Samuels was elected Toshao of the Santa/ Aratak Village Council last Saturday, when the Council held its elections at the Santa Mission Primary School.
Aubrey Samuels with 59 votes won from Grandel Samuels with 35 votes and Juliet Patterson-Gomes who mustered only 10 votes. A total of 104 votes were cast from the official list of electors numbering 152.
Six councilors were also elected to serve: Gordon Chung, Hilton Williams, Muriel Patterson, Roy Samuels, Katy Miller and Harold Newton.
Witnessing the polls which were conducted by Assistant Regional Executive Officer Surendra Khayyam were Region Three (Essequibo Islands/West Demerara) Vice-Chairman Azzam Mohamed, Information Officer Jaidev Dudhnath, Regional Democratic Council (RDC) councillor Nazir Khan and Sharon Hicks, Project Officer, Ministry of Amerindian Affairs.
Speaking after the elections Vice-Chairman Azzam Mohamed congratulated the new council and urged them to work in the best interest of the community, pointing out that inclusitivity is the key for a harmonious relationship among residents.
Noting that residents are the driving force of any community, Mohamed warned against favourtism and emphasised that consultation must be used as a tool to further enhance the development of the community.