–voters, other stakeholders hail smooth, efficient process   

MEMBERS of the Disciplined Services—comprising the Guyana Police Force (GPF), Guyana Defence Force (GDF), and Guyana Prison Service (GPS)—cast their ballots on Friday as part of early voting, ahead of Election Day scheduled for Monday, September 1, 2025.

Shortly after polls closed at 18:00hrs, Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) Public Relations Officer (PRO), Yolanda Ward, told the Guyana Chronicle that voting proceeded smoothly at all designated polling stations, with security personnel casting their votes ahead of the general electorate.

“Generally, the process went smoothly. We haven’t recorded any major hiccups. I would say that the issues that confronted us were nothing that procedurally affected our work,” she said.

When asked to provide more details, Ward referenced Facebook posts that included photos of ballots, implying that they had been taken during the voting process.

GECOM has banned the use of cellphones at polling stations.

This decisive action, according to a press release from the commission, is aimed at protecting the sanctity and secrecy of the ballot, particularly to address existing concerns regarding the potential for vote-selling that is directly linked to photographing of ballots.

Regarding this issue, Ward stated that GECOM has taken all necessary precautions, including issuing notices about the ban. She added that the matter will be discussed by the commission at its next meeting.

The voting exercise for the Disciplined Services was overseen by GECOM officials and observers with the usual safeguards in place.

Ballots are secured in tamper-proof containers and later mixed with the general ballots on Election Day before counting, maintaining the integrity and confidentiality of the process.

This annual practice of early voting ensures that officers are able to vote while remaining available for election security duties on polling day.

A total of 10,481 personnel were listed to vote, with 6,909 from the GPF, 3,106 from the GDF, and 466 from the GPS.

The ranks voted at designated balloting stations across the country, using standard ballot papers corresponding to their registered districts. Those unable to vote on August 22 will be able to participate with the general electorate on September 1.

The Guyana Fire Service (GFS), though part of the Joint Services, will vote on elections day.

To supervise the voting exercise, Chief Election Officer (CEO) Vishnu Persaud appointed three ballot officers, as published in the Official Gazette on June 5, 2025, in keeping with the Representation of the People Act, Cap. 1:03. Areana Britton was assigned to the GDF, Sharon Jethu to the GPF, and Sadhna Boodhanlall to the GPS.

The early voting of security personnel is intended to allow them to fulfil their electoral duties without disrupting the deployment of officers to polling stations on election day.

The PRO assured the public that preparations for the upcoming elections are progressing as planned, and that GECOM remains focused on ensuring free, fair, and credible polls.

Friday’s proceedings were described as smooth and efficient by voters and stakeholders, who were satisfied with the systems in place.

Chief of Defence Staff, Brigadier Omar Khan; Commissioner of Police, Clifton Hicken; Director of Prisons, Nicklon Elliot, all shared the view that the process was smooth and efficient.

Party candidates including President, Dr Irfaan Ali, who is the presidential candidate of the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C); A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) presidential candidate, Aubrey Norton, and We Invest in Nationhood (WIN)’s presidential candidate, Azruddin Mohammed, all provided positive feedback after observing the process at the polling stations early in the day.