WHILE the major parties, the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) and the A Partnership for National Unity+Alliance For Change (APNU+AFC) were the focus on Elections Day, the leaders of the small parties contesting the elections also cast their ballots, but silently.The Guyana Chronicle was unable to speak with the leaders of all six of the small parties, but those who spoke with us expressed optimism of a decent showing at the polls.
Leader of The United Force (TUF), Marissa Nadir, said she remains confident that her party will regain a presence in Parliament when the results of the elections are declared.
The TUF is hoping to win at least one seat in the House, and Nadir said based on the support it has received from youths and women on the campaign trail, it is confident that it will achieve this goal.
The young TUF leader, an attorney-at-law by profession, who voted early in the morning, said the process went smoothly and more efficiently compared to the last elections.
But she expressed disappointment with political activists who took their supporters to polling stations, many of whom made reckless statements, casting aspersions on the electoral process and contributing to tension in the country.
This, she said, should have been avoided. Another early- morning voter was leader of United Republican Party (URP), Vishnu Bandhu. He told this publication that he is confident that his party will win two to three seats in Parliament and he is patiently awaiting the results.
According to Bandhu, he is putting his trust on the “overwhelming” support he received from persons who are dissatisfied with the PPP/C, APNU and the Alliance For Change (AFC).
Ras Leon Saul, of the Healing the Nation Theocracy Party (HNTP), is expecting a landslide support in Region 4, where the party is contesting. But, he said, whichever of the two major parties wins, the election should adopt a system of inclusive governance. In this model, he believes the views of every section of society will be heard and given full attention.
Leader of the Independent Party, Mark Benschop, declined to offer a comment to the Guyana Chronicle. This publication was unable to get comments from National Independence Party (NIP) leader, Attorney-at-Law Sapphier Hussain, and leader of The Organisation for the Victory of the People (OVP), Gerald Pereira.
This election has seen a larger turnout compared to those in recent years. The election results are expected to be released today, and all major stakeholders and the foreign observer groups have called for peace, and for the results to be accepted by all the political parties.

By Tajeram Mohabir