Moments after casting his ballot for Local Government Elections at the National Aquatic Centre, Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo called on the Guyana Elections Commission to look into reports of voter intimidation taking place in some communities in the Berbice area.
The Prime Minister told reporters that he has received reports of supporters of the People’s Progressive Party picketing close to a polling station in the Berbice area. He said there was also a banner which targets him that was unveiled in the Whim community close to another polling station.
Mr. Nagamootoo said those acts ought to be seen as a way to intimidate voters and should not be taking place on elections day.
“You have the report of some levels of intimidation and we are hoping that the Guyana Elections Commission will look into it, because this has been an area where not only candidates have complained of being terrorized, but they were threatened”, he said.
The Prime Minister, who is performing the duties of President, said based on reports from all across the country, the voting so far for the day has been “slow but steady”.
“I have received the report that it is not a heavy stream of voters turning up as you would have in a national election, but the turn out is steady. People are leaving their work to come to vote then go back to their work places”, he said.
Prime Minister Nagamootoo said eligible voters should go out and exercise their franchise and be part of local democracy, adding that it is important to choose the right people to sit in the various councils and provide the best representation for the interest of the communities.
The Prime Minister was accompanied by his wife, Mrs. Sita Nagamootoo, to cast his vote. She also voted at the same venue.
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