The Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) has reported that voting by members of the Joint Services is proceeding across all ten districts, with Public Relations Officer Yolanda Ward confirming that 10,481 ranks are eligible to cast ballots today.
Ward said the process was unfolding smoothly but noted that some concerns had already been raised. One of the early complaints came from officers who questioned why their ballots were not stamped. She explained that this is standard procedure. “On disciplined services balloting day the ballots are not stamped with the six-digit number. When they are intermixed at the polling station on election day, the ballot is stamped with that number and placed into the ballot box for counting. That is what the law provides for,” Ward stated.
Ward also addressed enforcement of the 200-yard restriction around polling stations, a measure that has historically drawn scrutiny. She said the rule is not intended to restrict media coverage but is necessary to preserve order. “We have received reports of officers feeling molested, annoyed, or obstructed in their movement. We want to ensure that order prevails in accordance with the Representation of the People Act,” she explained.
The Public Relations Officer further clarified that party agents and observers are required to follow legal provisions on who may be present at polling stations. While some parties reportedly had issues with providing accreditation letters for their agents earlier in the day, Ward said she was not yet familiar with those details.
In providing the breakdown of eligible voters, Ward said the Guyana Police Force has 6,909 ranks on the list, the Guyana Defence Force 3,106, and the Guyana Prison Service 466. She noted that officers are allowed to vote in the districts where they are assigned to work, not necessarily where they are registered, and that all ballots will be securely stored, intermixed, and counted in the respective districts on September 1.
Ward said the sorting of ballots would begin immediately after the close of polls and is expected to be completed by Sunday. She also confirmed that GECOM Chairperson Claudette Singh was expected to visit polling locations later in the day.
