The Guyana Police Force (GPF) Monday said that it had sought the assistance of the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) for joint patrols of the city amid concerns that there may be skirmishes mainly in the capital as voting draws to a close.
“As a result of expressions of intimidation by members of the electorate, coupled with few incidents in Georgetown, the Commissioner of Police has called on the Chief of Staff for the support of Guyana Defence Force troops in the conduct of Joint GDF/GPF Patrols,” the GDF said in a brief statement.
It gave no details of the incidents but earlier, electoral officials had to move quickly to quell a new riot in the Georgetown South area after voters there became agitated after reports began circulating that at least on 45 of the ballot papers, the Returning Officer did not use the official stamp to affix a six-digit number to paper ballots before they are cast.
Disgruntled voters told reports that the Returning Officer was instead writing the numbers on the ballot paper and they feared as a result the ballots would be declared void.
Chairman of the Guyana Elections commission (GECOM) Dr Steve Surujbally, who visited the area in a bid to calm the voters, said later that the matter has been resolved and the ballots will be counted.
Speaking at a news conference later, Surujbally said that the commission felt “cheated” by the supplier of the stamps, Code International.
“I feel we were cheated when we paid out good money,” he told reporters, adding “they have sent us equipment that is sub-standard and that is not acceptable”.
Surujbally said that the commission would be discussing the quality of the stamps with the supplier.
Chief Elections Officer, Keith Lowenfield, who was also at the news conference, said extra stamps have been already distributed to polling stations in remote parts of Guyana.
GPF said the Chief of Staff has consented and patrols are likely to commence within the hour as polling stations close at 6.00 pm (local time).
Different election same conniving govt