Lindeners vote early, little hiccups reported

Jun 13, 2023 News

Kaieteur News – It was a smooth voting process for most residents of Linden as they braved the inclement weather early Monday morning, to cast their ballots at the respective polling stations for the Local Government Elections.

Elderly resident Rita Peters turned up to cast her ballot

PPP/C Candidate, Dwayne Charles

With anticipation that their preferred candidates and political parties will have the majority seats at the Linden Mayor and Town Council, those who voted early, did not hesitate to encourage others to exercise their franchise. In this regard it was observed that youths, the elderly and the disabled, were among those voting.

Many of the constituency candidates for both the A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) and the People’s Progressive Party (PPP) were out very early at the polls in an effort to demonstrate what they preach. Even after months of campaigning, the candidates took the last opportunity to express confidence in being victorious in their constituencies. APNU candidate and Mayor hopeful, Sharma Solomon, expressed appreciation for those who came out and voted and said it was pleasing to see that the process was very smooth for most. “It is very encouraging to see people turn out notwithstanding the weather, it is very encouraging to see people come out for Local Government Elections to exercise their franchise and participate in the process.” Solomon who is a candidate for Amelia’s Ward said he did quite a lot to bring representation to the constituents. “We have advanced many of the causes they may have in terms of seeing Amelia’s Ward as one of the largest community in the Caribbean.” He was confident that APNU will win his constituency as well as the wider Linden as the party is eying all 16 seats in the municipality. Currently APNU controls 15 of those seats while the PPP controls one.

Member of Parliament Jermaine Figueira

Former AFC MP now PPP Candidate Audwin Rutherford

Solomon’s rival for Amelia’s Ward Dwayne Charles, said his party is confident in making inroads in the municipality as Linden will “vote right this time”, according to his party’s tagline. “My team and I would have put out the works throughout the campaign season and I know that we are going to get the support and with the plans that we have for the party we are going to get it right this time,” Charles said.

Meanwhile, independent observers expressed concern that some voters experienced difficulty in locating their names on the list. Guyana Public Service Union observer Maurice Butters said his name was not even on the list as was stated on GECOM’s website and for the short time he was at the Linden Foundation Secondary School where there were 10 polling stations; some other persons experienced the same problem.

Sharma Solomon: APNU candidate

APNU Member of Parliament Jermaine Figueira said the situation was only recorded in Amelia’s Ward but raised concerns. “I did hear in Amelia’s Ward persons did not recognise their names on the list and that is very concerning for us and if it is happening at the secondary school in Amelia’s Ward that means it can happen somewhere else and it is very concerning,” Figueira said. He too expressed ‘without doubt’ that APNU will regain the municipal council and this time with all 16 seats. In addition to APNU and PPP, the New Horizon Movement was the lone independent party contesting one constituency in Linden.

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A Partnership for National Unity (APNU), candidates, Jermaine Figueira, Local Government Elections, Member of Parliament

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