Smooth start for joint services voting in Berbice

Commander Calvin Brutus making his decision in a berbice polling place Friday morning

By Royan Abrams 

Voting for the men and women in uniform in Berbice got off to a smooth start Friday morning as ranks from the Guyana Police Force, Guyana Defense Force and Guyana Prison Service cast their ballots for the political parties of their choice, one week before the rest of the general population.

Up to the time of this report, close to five hundred joint services ranks turned out to cast their ballots at four polling stations along in the region.

Ranks await their turn to vote in Berbice

They voted at Springlands Police Station, Whim Police Station and the Central Police Station in New Amsterdam.

Voting commenced promptly at 06:00hrs as polling stations opened their doors. Over at the Central Police Station, the process was witnessed by representatives of the Peoples Progressive Party Civic, The A Partnership for National Unity+ Alliance for Change and observers of the European Union.

After casting his ballot on Friday morning, Regional Commander Calvin Brutus told the press that the process thus far proved to be a smooth one as there were no hiccups.

“It was very smooth and there were no hiccups at least the persons there they are not complaining of anything, they are waiting patiently to cast their ballots then proceed to do their regular duties for those who have to work today while those worked last night will head home” Brutus noted

Brutus told the press that in cases where ranks in a particular subdivision have their names appearing on a list outside of that subdivision, arrangements would be made for them to cast their ballots before the close of polls for the Joint Services.

“some persons find themselves on different lists within the division and some time out of the division they would be facilitated we are putting systems in place where the transportation could take them those that have to vote in Georgetown will go with the police transportation and those who have to vote at different areas around the region will be facilitated around the region” he stated

Approximately 10,000 members of the Joint Services across the county are expected to cast their votes today.

The process for the members casting their votes before the rest of the population is to ensure that there are enough hands on deck in the event of any eventuality when the general population heads to the poll.