As persons turned out to vote across the country, concern was raised at several polling places about inaccessibility for disabled persons. In some instances, family members were forced to lift persons into the stations.

At the Church of Transfiguration polling place in Georgetown, wheel chair bound, Hollyanne Bristol, who is a candidate of the Forward Guyana Movement, complained about her polling station being on the upper flat of the building and no arrangements being in place to assist her.

“At present, GECOM has no contingency plans for wheelchair users or persons with disabilities who are unable to access the stairs to vote,” she expressed “So far I have been offered the opportunity to vote via being lifted up the stairs to vote, but no other alternative has been offered as yet by GECOM.”

The Presidential Candidate for the Forward Guyana Movement, Amanza Walton Desir,  criticized the lack of accommodations for differently abled voters, calling it unacceptable.

“What GECOM needs to have in place is some kind of arrangement where if they know that the polling places are not wheelchair accessible that they have an arrangement in place to accommodate persons who are wheelchair users,” she said.

At the F.E. Pollard polling station, wheelchair users faced difficulties entering polling stations without ramps, relying on relatives or volunteers to carry them into buildings.

Additionally, at the North Georgetown station, an autistic voter who appeared unsure of the process did not receive assistance from polling staff.

Instead, his mother had to intervene, prompting complaints from observers who felt election officials were unprepared to support voters with developmental or mental disabilities. 

“They need to pay attention to these nuances that disenfranchise the vulnerable, I do not know if it is intentional, or if it is a lack of training,” said Volderine Hackett, whose autistic son struggled during this process.

Not all reports were negative, as in some areas, polling clerks were praised for being attentive.

The father of a young disabled woman expressed his happiness and satisfaction that his daughter was able to vote without any hiccups and commended the speed and efficiency of the process at the Plaisance secondary school.

Concerns were not limited to persons with disabilities. Elderly voters also faced challenges with reports of long wait times proving difficult for some.

At the Plaisance Secondary School, an elderly man collapsed while waiting in line, an incident that drew attention to the need for greater accommodations for senior citizens on elections day.

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