The Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) has confirmed that voter turnout was indeed miserable at the polling stations across the country.
During a press briefing earlier today, GECOM’s Chief Elections Officer, Keith Lowenfield disclosed that there was approximately 38% voter participation in the Local Government Elections (LGE). In 1994, there was a 47.91% participation.
Many have sought to blame GECOM for the minuscule turnout, owing to what some have referred to as the poor educational campaign it rolled out; but the GECOM Chairman, Dr Steve Surujbally has made it clear that the electoral body will not accept responsibility.
According to him, the contesting candidates and political parties should have done more to boost voters’ understanding of the process.
However, GECOM Commissioner, Bibi Shaddick asserted that these elections are certainly complex and therefore GECOM should have started its campaign earlier.
Meanwhile, during the press conference, GECOM was unable to release any results because there were several requests for recounting of the ballots in certain areas in Region Six (East Berbice Corentyne).
(Devina Samaroo)
Quite right Steve.It was totally up to the pliyician, to get people interested enough to vote In numbers.They failed miserably. So voter apathy, and a very diluted Appan ja,t ruled the LGE, no fault of GECOM.
Look it was the voters’ fault. Personally I felt no compunction to vote. I moved out of my last voting district and it was just as well cause I didn’t know anyone there worth voting for. In my new area, even if I could have voted, I wouldn’t have for the slim pickings. PLUS IT WAS NOT A HOLIDAY so why take the trouble.
‘Don’t blame us’ – Surujbally says GECOM will not take responsibility for low voter turnout
No one can and must not blaming GECOM for this LGE.
But when the people votes in the general election were not counted can you really blame the people for not showing up to vote?
The majority Guyanese votes were never counted in the general election to this day.. They could not even get a recount even loosing by one single vote so what BS goes on at GECOM??? Most Guyanese will tell you GECOM colluded with A B C countries for regime change so the people are pissed that they cant vote for the political party of their choice.