SEVERAL independent groups and individuals have signalled their intention to contest Local Government Elections (LGE) in Region Six (East Berbice/ Corentyne), although some of them are not yet known by their constituents.This was revealed when they filed their papers at the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) Nomination Day centres early Tuesday morning.

The People’s Progressive Party (PPP) is contesting in the three municipalities, namely New Amsterdam, Rose Hall and Corriverton
But no List of Candidates for the A Partnership for National Unity + Alliance For Change (APNU+AFC) coalition was on the display Board of GECOM at its sub-office at Corriverton.
However, an independent group, the New Dawn Development Association, whose leaders are drawn from the Interim Management Committee of the Corriverton municipality, is contesting in that area.
Businessman Mohamed Zaladin and Ms Shurla Scott presented their List of Candidates with the aim of representing every citizen in their township. They want morality to be restored in the town and discomfort for law-breakers.
But as the candidates and their supporters thronged the various GECOM centres across the region, many citizens with whom the Guyana Chronicle spoke were not aware that Tuesday was LGE Nomination Day.

And while some showed no interest in the upcoming elections, others clamoured for change.
At the Tagore Memorial High School, where candidates are contesting the Number 52 to Number 74 Neighbourhood Democratic Council, three independent contestants submitted Lists of Candidates.
At the Kildonan Primary School, the candidates were drawn from the Adventure / Bushlot NDC. That area was represented by only PPP candidates.
And at Auchelyene Primary school, which covers the Whim/ Bloomfield area, GECOM staffers were yet to post the Candidates Lists at 16:30hrs, as many had errors which had to be corrected.
At Rose Hall Town, the main political rivals APNU+AFC and the PPP, along with the independent group Peace and Love, headed by Sandra Chisolm, presented their Lists of Candidates.
Chairman of the Rose Hall APNU+AFC coalition, David Fraser said the process was “good”, however, after submitting his list, he was still awaiting verification of the Constituency List at 16:50hrs.
At Fortlands/ Ordinance, two independent groups: Guyanese for Guyana headed by Karmanand Ramesh, a teacher and Development Association of Fort Ordinance led by Somallie Saylange, a librarian, also submitted List of Candidates.

There was a lone independent contestant in the New Amsterdam municipality for the Smythfield/ Tucber/ Queenstown/ Fort Canje constituent.
According to that contestant Vincent Lonke, the major political parties have done nothing for the township and he is optimistic that with support from his constituents, the township can be restored to its former glory.
“The only way to bring restoration is through an independent party,” he opined.