FOLLOWING the announcement yesterday of the preliminary results of the national and regional elections 2015 which revealed that the APNU+AFC coalition was in the lead,NEWS yesterday that the Coalition was in the lead in the just-concluded national and regional elections saw members of the Joint Services erupt into loud screams and begin celebrating just as thousands of civilians did countrywide.

The catalyst was the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM)’s announcment around midday of the preliminary results of the May 11 polls.

Almost all Guyanese were glued to their television sets wherever they were, and were observed jumping for joy, while others began a street procession and some took their celebration a step further by imbibing openly at the nearest watering hole (shop).

May expressed their profound appreciation by taking to social media facebook and wrote how they felt and endorsed their support for the new government.

Meanwhile, members of the Joint Services comprising the Police, Army, Fire and Prison Services, all of whom are inlying and working round-the-clock, engaged in joint patrols in the maintenance of law and order; if not,they were seen or heard yesterday as they broke out in screams of victory.

They are based in the 10 administrative regions of Guyana and are hoping that with a change in government they will be better paid.

Many said they did not vote race, but instead cast their ballots for change, since Guyana was ripe for it, and one which is welcome at this juncture. They also noted that with the Coalition’s win, Guyana has won, because the people spoke through their votes.

Even though President Donald Ramotar had appealed to members of the Joint Services through a published letter in the print media prior to the elections, they however went out and exercised their franchise for the party of their choice.

The atmosphere in all the policing divisions was one of jubilation also, as ranks voiced their approval after the preliminary results were revealed via a televised press briefing live yesterday afternoon, after days of high tension and waiting.

During this period, many could not sleep, and spoke of restless nights and long hours “on the grind”, hoping that a winner would be declared by GECOM so their lives could return to normalcy.

Even in the city and its environs, it was quite evident that people were happy and showed it; some at the corner of Smyth and Leopold Streets placed three teddy bears inside an old refrigerator as though it was a coffin, and proceeded to hold a mock funeral service for three members of the PPP/C regime whom they named.

They also had placards, and were dancing as they voiced their new-found happiness at the Coalition’s win at the peaceful gathering yesterday afternoon.

On the East Coast of Demerara, people took to the streets, honking their horns and blasting loud music to register their support of the announcement of the winner, while others discharged several gunshots in the air to express their approval in some areas.

There were celebrations far and wide across the country as Guyanese of all ethnicities came together and many headed to the APNU+AFC headquarters at the corner of Queenstown/Alberttown, donned in fitting party colours and flags as they blocked the streets and mingled peacefully with each other.