Some voters at one of the polling stations at the Central High School in Georgetown had to be given assurances that their votes will count after the 6 digit stamp being used to mark the ballot paper at the station broke and the ballot clerk reportedly used a pen to write the number on the ballot paper, until the stamp was replaced.
Close to 20 persons who had cast their ballots expressed fears that their vote might not be counted because of the makeshift arrangement.
However, Chief Elections Officer Keith Lowenfield delivered a new stamp while the Chairman of the Elections Commission assured that the votes with the written number on the ballot paper will be counted.
Lowenfield did not comment on allegations being made by the voters that the ballot paper was marked using a pen although one voter insisted “yes she marked it with a pen and said it was in her training.”
“I really can’t say what is going on. I brought the stamp and the situation has been appeased,” Lowenfield said.
Chairman of the Commission Dr. Steve Surujbally assured that the ballots that were already cast, even if marked with a pen, will be counted at the close of polls.
Dr. Surujbally also visited the Central High School and spoke to the visibly irate voters.
Meanwhile, voting in other parts of the country appeared to be progressing smoothly as there were no reports of any major hiccups. There was case in Bartica when a police officer was standing very close to the ballot box, but he was eventually told his position should be a little farther away.
The Presidential Candidates and Prime Ministerial Candidates along with their spouses cast their ballots before lunch time on Monday and all called on all eligible voters to head to the polls. (Kurt Campbell)
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