The Secretariat for the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) gave all assurances today that it is prepared to facilitate the voting of members from the Disciplined Forces on Friday. During a press conference today, Deputy Chief Election Officer, Aneal Giddings said there are 6,909 members of the Guyana Police Force (GPF) who are eligible to vote along with 3,106 in the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) and 466 from the Guyana Prison Service. This totals 10,481 voters.
Giddings noted that sensitive printed material has arrived from Canada which includes, ballot papers, Statements of Poll and tally sheets. “Subsequent to its arrival, we would have immediately commenced the process to extract those ballots that were to be dispatched to 20 diplomatic missions abroad…
“The following day we commenced the extraction of the ballot papers for the Disciplined Forces.”
Further, Giddings said there will be 83 balloting locations in all of the 10 districts, adding that 67 boxes will be serving these stations. He noted that some of the boxes will serve more than one location.
The official was keen to note that the commission has been given all assurances by GDF and the police force that there would be adequate security, especially near the border with Suriname and Venezuela.
Overall, the Deputy Chief Election Officer said GECOM is “well poised for the elections on Friday,” adding, “All logistical arrangements have been made. Nothing aside from force majeure would stop this.”
