By Shirley Thomas
LOCAL Government Elections (LGE) were held on Friday in 71 consistencies across the country after more than 20 years, and observers have agreed that the process employed was free and fair.

US Charge d’Affaires Bryan Hunt, in an invited comment, said that from what he has seen, the process went “very smoothly” at the locations he had visited.
“I have not observed anything that could be construed as significant violations of electoral law procedure. So I would say, thus far where I’ve been observing [It’s only a handful of stations], but our team hasn’t seen anything that would cause us to question the process.”

People from all walks of life turned out to vote, including the able-bodied, the infirm, geriatrics, and even the physically challenged. 77-year-old Maureen Rowe of Consistency 9, Lodge, hardly able to walk, climbed up and down some 27 treads of the concrete stairway just to be able to vote. She voted at the Lodge Community High School (LCHS).

When the Deputy Returning Officer suggested that some able-bodied persons should help lift her up the stairs, the septuagenarian confidently declared that she could do it on her own. In fact, she curtly replied: “No! No! The able-bodied might throw me down.”

After she had finished voting, she commented on what she expects of the person she voted for, saying: “I would like to see more of the clean-up, looking after us. When you go to the Town Hall, you must be represented.” And proudly displaying her stained finger, she announced: “I am confident that I cast my vote the right place.”

Persons at the polling station suggested that GECOM should put systems in place to make voting easy for geriatrics and the physically challenged.

Many persons shared Ms Rowe’s view on the importance of voting. The Guyana Chronicle spoke with Allison Langferman, who was very elated at being able to get to the station to vote. “I was happy to be able to vote for the person of my choice, who can help develop the community and make life a bit more comfortable for the citizens living there,” she said.

“It is not just getting the position and sitting in the seat; but it’s about doing the work, beautifying the community, and addressing and bringing a resolution to the numerous challenges. In my community, we have drainage problems, sewerage problems, sanitation problems, and water problem as well,” she expressed.

Young Ceion Rollex of “A” Field Sophia, blind in both eyes, said he hopes those elected would have a heart for the physically challenged. Blind for the last five years, Rollex is a first year Communications student at the University of Guyana, and wants to become a journalist.

Waveney Ames, who walks with a cane, was high in praise for the persons working at the polling station. She said they were very approachable, helpful, and accommodating. “Their attitude certainly made voting a lot easier for us,” Ames said.