GUYANA - As members of the Disciplined Forces vote today ahead of the September 1 elections, parties contesting the General and Regional Elections say they are ready.
The six parties contesting are the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C), A Partnership for National Unity (APNU), the Alliance For Change (AFC), the Forward Guyana Movement (FGM), the Assembly for Liberty and Prosperity (ALP), and We Invest in Nationhood (WIN).
Four of the six parties told Kaieteur News on Thursday that they have completed preparations, including assigning polling agents to nearly every polling station to help ensure a smooth and transparent process. Members of the Guyana Defence Force (GDF), Guyana Police Force (GPF), and Guyana Prison Service (GPS) will vote today. Speaking with several parties on Thursday, all said they are fully prepared, with polling agents assigned across most stations. APNU Elections Agent Carol Smith-Joseph affirmed their readiness, stating, “The APNU is always ready. The People’s National Congress Reform (PNCR) is the largest stakeholder in the APNU, and we are always ready.”
AFC leader Nigel Hughes said they are well prepared for tomorrow (Friday). When asked about potential challenges, he noted a possible issue involving FGM’s omission from the national ballot in Regions 7, 8, and 9. AFC Election Agent Nicola Trotman confirmed, “We are prepared for the Disciplined Services voting. All relevant ballot boxes were dispatched this morning, and we had agents with most of them. We will cover the majority of balloting stations.” She added that verification has begun, ensuring polling agents are assigned to stations where their ballots are located.
FGM leader Amanza Walton-Desir said her party is ready despite ongoing legal concerns over its omission from Regions 7, 8, and 9. She stated that polling agents are deployed in all 10 regions, and she is satisfied with tomorrow’s logistics. She added that the exclusion in some regions places FGM at a disadvantage and that the party will seek court clarification where possible. WIN representative Odessa Primus said WIN has agents at all polling stations for today’s vote and emphasized securing the ballots. GECOM confirmed its readiness for the Disciplined Forces vote, with Deputy Chief Election Officer Aneal Giddings noting that all logistical arrangements are in place, barring force majeure. Ballot distributions are: 6,909 for the GPF, 3,106 for the GDF, and 466 for the GPS. Votes require voters to be 18+, registered, and listed on the Disciplined Forces voters’ list. (Kaieteurnews)
