MEMBERS of the Guyana Police Force and the Guyana Defence Force stationed on the Corentyne Coast, before 06:00hrs made a line and awaited their turn to cast their ballot at the general and regional elections 2020, on Friday.

Since the members of the Disciplined Forces are expected to maintain law and order on Elections Day, March 02, they would usually vote several days ahead of civilians.

At the Whim Police Station, a number of officers who had just completed their night duty made their way to the polling place located in the station’s compound to cast their ballots, rounding off a long days’ at work.

The next set of officers in the line were the traffic ranks who were assigned to schools and busy inter-sections, so that immediately after exercising their franchises, they could get into the fields and perform their duties.

The process was smooth and swift as the officers seemed knowledgeable of the process.

A first-time voter, who requested anonymity, said he was both nervous and excited about the opportunity to have a say in who governs the country.

The junior rank explained that while he knew what the process entailed, he did not expect it to be so easy.

“I spent less than two minutes in there, it was so quick and easy, the thing that took the longest was for them to find my name and verify my ID number with what they had on file. After that they gave me the ballot paper and explained the process once more and I went in the little box thing and put my X and fold the paper as they showed me, ink and drop in the box and that was it, it is easy and simple. I even had to ask if duh was it, cause to me like it done too fast,” the rank said.

At the Whim Police Station, a total of 206 voters were on the list when this publication visited for the second time. Some 46 were still to exercise their franchise.

Meanwhile, at the Springlands Police Station, 128 ranks, including police and immigration ranks as well as officers from the Guyana Defence Force at the Number 63 base were expected to cast their ballots.

By mid-afternoon, 98 per cent of the registered voters had voted.

Another first-time voter also expressed excitement after casting his ballot.

“I felt good due to the fact that I am making my contribution towards helping someone to move this country forward with the plans that I believe will benefit the state and its people at large,” he said.

At New Amsterdam, a total of 298 ranks, including prison officers and soldiers, were on the voters list. Divisional Commander, Calvin Brutus, led from the front and was among the first group of officers to vote.

He did so before 08:00hrs. In a brief interview, he told reporters that there were no hiccups for the most part; however, he explained that some officers found themselves on a different list even though were stationed at specific location.

He further noted that all security measures are in place for Elections Day, March 2.

Adding that the ranks are prepared and have benefitted from training exercises, Brutus noted that leading up to the big day, refresher training will be done.

He also noted that additional security for the prison will be in place for that period as well as for the riverine and coastal areas.

A fully-equipped public order unit is also on standby to provide additional support. At the end of the day, the entire process was said to be smooth and simple with no hiccups.