Silence abounds over soldier’s alleged attempt to double vote

The index finger of the Guyana Defense force soldier with the suspected indelible ink 

The Guyana Elections Commission, Guyana Police Force, and the Guyana Defense Force have all stay clear from issuing any official comment over allegations that a member of the Guyana Defense Force attempted to vote twice last week Friday when members of the Joint Services cast their ballots.

BIG Smith News Watch was told by persons who are familiar with the development, the rank remains under close arrest within the confines of the Guyana Defense Force while the police are continuing their investigations into the matter.

We were told that the rank has since provided a statement as to how what appeared to be ink on his index finger got there.

The soldier has also provided information which suggests that how what appeared to be ink on his finger can be corroborated by other persons, efforts are being made to check out that aspect of the story, according to what BIG Smith News Watch has been told.

Below is the full statement which was released by Peoples Progressive party Civic Assistant Elections Officer Manzoor Nadir on Saturday last.

Stephenson. The incident occurred at the Jaguar Lecture Hall polling place (Alpha split D-H) at approximately 5:05 PM. The soldier (Mervin Noil Grenville) came in to vote and did not have an accepted form of picture ID. He was asked to swear an oath or sign the statement of affirmation as to being who he is, which he refused to do. He subsequently said he will return, but the Presiding Officer told him that it was already getting late and he should sign the statement, but he left. Our Polling Agent reported the unusual behavior to a GDF warrant officer (named provided) who subsequently returned with the rank. That was when our Polling Agent, Ms Nafeeza Rodrigues, found what appeared to be ballot ink on the soldier’s right index finger. The soldier claimed that pen in fell on his finger; however, the finger was stained on the nail and the bottom of the finger. The Timehri Police station was informed and ranks came to investigate. Following up on the issue with the police officer, I was informed that the soldier was under close arrest at Camp Stephenson and that the police will be doing further investigations)

The Guyana Elections Commission has several infomercials and public service announcements that direct voters on the dos and don’ts during elections. One of those infomercials speaks directly to elections offenses.