–as did older constituents, political figures

IT was slow going in the mining town of Linden on Monday, but among those who did turn out in the first half of the day were a noticeable amount of first-time voters.
And they could scarce contain their excitement at being able to exercise their franchise at electing a representative for their various constituencies.

While polling staff and observers noted that voter turnout seemed even lower than that of the 2016 LGE, they all agreed that more youths seemed to have shown a genuine interest in voting this time around. They also concluded that this enthuiasm among the youngsters may very well have been because some of the four political parties contesting the elections included youths in their campaign, and have also formed political youth groups.

At the Linden Foundation Secondary School in Constituency One was 18-year-old Reniah DaSilva of Amelia’s Ward, who said that she felt it was imperative that she vote, since youths need to let their voices be heard by way of the ballot.

“When we vote,” Reniah said, “people representing our community will see to the needs of youths, and see that we need job opportunities, recreational facilities and other opportunities to develop ourselves. So I feel really good coming out and vote this morning,” she said.

Similar sentiments were expressed by first- time voter Gregory LaRose, who cast his ballot at the Mackenzie Sports Club Ground in Constituency Three.

“I decided to come out as a youth, because I think Linden and my community need development and it gives me an opportunity to give the candidates a second chance,” he said. “The process was also smooth; no hiccups,” he added.

Another first-time voter was Anthony Beckles. “This is my first time voting; I find the experience very good, and I just want to support the people that did something for their community, and want to be elected to do more,” he said.

EARLY VOTERS
Among the first to vote in Linden were mostly constituency candidates and political personalities. Those persons also served as observers for the better part of the day, moving from polling station to polling station, trying to ascertain how the process was coming along.

Many of them described the day’s activity as smooth with no hiccups. APNU Constituency One Candidate, Lawrence Simon commended Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) staff for their professionalism. “Everything, in terms of the polling stations that I visited thus far, is in order, so I must commend GECOM,” Simon said. The same was said by AFC candidate, Devin Sears. “I believe GECOM is doing a pretty good job so far. There are no hiccups; it is a smooth process,” Sears said, adding:

“Even persons who thought that they had to get their Identification Card to go and vote, they found out that they can actually go without their ID.”
And though he conceded that the process was somewhat slow, he was confident that as the day progresses, the pace will pick up. “I am confident that persons will come out because of our plan,” he said. “We have some logical and workable plans and solutions to develop our constituencies, so I am hoping that persons are on the same level for development, and they will come out in their numbers.”

Some of the other political figures that voted in Linden, in a bid to set the example were Minister within the Ministry of Communities Valarie Yearwood; Members of Parliament Jermaine Figueira and Audwin Rutherford; Regional Chairman Renis Morian; Mayor Waneka Arindell; Former Member of Parliament Vanessa Kissoon; and Former Regional Chairman, Sharma Solomon.

AT ALL COSTS
While many youths did “represent”, the older folks also came out and exercised their franchise. Some came alone, some as a couple, and others as a group, even if it meant walking for some distance as they braved the heat of the morning sun.

Leroy Barry of Amelia’s Ward and his wife voted early, as they believe the continued process of democracy at the municipal level must go on. “I am here this morning to exercise my franchise, and to select representatives who I think would represent me in my area effectively,” he said, adding:
“The reason I came out and put my ‘X’ is because I want to see infrastructural development; the roads especially. That is why I decided to come out and ensure that I see development in my area.”

Many other voters stressed the need for the those elected to focus on infrastructural and youth development.
The mood in Linden seemed rather quiet throughout the day, with many businesses keeping their doors closed while many persons said they are using the day as a rest day.

Many were heard saying how disappointed they were in the outgoing Council; that because they failed to fulfill their campaign promises, they did not feel like voting this time around.
Said one market vendor: “You can fool me once, but not twice! At the end of the day, I still have to work. My road do half-way and left off; nothing ain’t do in my community, so why should I go and vote?”

As this publication made the rounds of several polling stations, there was not a single queue in sight.
In Linden, there are 26,184 eligible voters. Contesting the LGEs within the eight constituencies are four political parties: A Partnership for National Unity (APNU), Alliance for Change (AFC), People’s Progressive Party (PPP) and the United Republican Party (URP).