Guyana Elections Commission Reports High Voter Turnout Among Security Forces

GEORGETOWN, Guyana, February 24, 2020 (CMC) – The Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) says more than 80 percent, of the members of the country’s security forces, voted, last Friday, as Guyana began the process of electing a new government on March 2.

GECOM said that 8,369, of the 10,226 members, cast their ballot on Friday, reflecting an 81.8 percent turnout rating; while the Guyana Police Force (GPF) had its the highest turnout, of 80.6 percent or 5, 400 officers.

The Commission said that 2, 539 members of the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) cast ballots, representing an 83.6 percent turnout; while 430 members of the Guyana Prison Service voted, representing an 88.1 percent turnout.

GECOM said 60 polling stations, across the country, were used during Friday’s exercise.

GECOM Chair, retired Justice Claudette Singh, who visited several polling places to observe the voting process, responded to accusations that GECOM was engaging in voter-suppression, by moving polling places out of private residences.

She said 91 private residences, across Guyana, are still being used as polling places, and the reduction in the use of private residences is in response to lobbying from the major political parties.

As a result, 95 percent of polling stations have been moved to public buildings, such as schools, community centres and churches. Schools will be closed, on March 2, to facilitate the vote.