THE Ancient County remained relatively calm , following polling day which saw the electorate trekking to 373 polling stations across East Berbice /Corentyne district .Police Commander, Assistant Commissioner Mr. Brian Joseph, reported there were minor incidents which included an under-aged voter attempting to cast her ballot at Lovely Lass Village,West Coast Berbice.
Subsequent to the report, the teen , along with her mother, were advised , and an investigation has since been launched.
Joseph told this newspaper that there were many reports of intimidation by members of various political parties , who were reportedly advising electors as to how they should vote.
“Those persons were advised, and they complied with the rules , by staying 200 yards from the place of poll,” Joseph said.
“In addition, there was an incident at Alness Village, Corentyne, where it seems as though some wicked person removed a derelict vehicle from the side of the road shoulder , along with some wooden props and placed same on a part of the southern carriageway.”
Joseph was unable to confirm or deny whether the incident was politically motivated, but opined that may have occurred through ‘ some wicked person , who had passed by, and, seeing the props, decided to throw ,it onto the roadway’. No one has been arrested.
Meanwhile, despite Tuesday being a working day, it was not business as usual, as many who worked as polling-day staff were unable to return to their regular jobs, as they had returned home after midnight after completing the election process,and ,were too exhausted for another day’s work.
Some business remained closed , while others closed early due to poor staff turnout .
During mid afternoon hours, rumours spread like wildfire , after vendors at the New Amsterdam Market were seen hurriedly closing their stalls ,just after 1400hrs.
The tale revealed that a directive was sent from Georgetown that all markets be closed as political party supporters were creating havoc .
Incidentally, just as the rumour was peddled, a batch of joint service officers began traversing in the vicinity of the town’s market , resulting in onlookers hurrying to get to their respective homes.
However, in an invited comment, their own market treasurer, Ms Sharon Anderson, denied the rumor, but stated it was as a result of the low turn out of Municipal staff.