In recent days, the Federation of Independent Trade Unions of Guyana (FITUG) has recognized that several concerns have emerged regarding a decision by the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) to reduce the number of polling stations situated at private residences. The Commission, for its part, has justified its decision against the backdrop of recommendation that was made by the Carter Centre after the 2015 National and Regional Elections. It has now been disclosed that while the Carter Centre did express some concern about use of private facilities, it neither did not, outrightly nor explicitly, urge an end or reduction as the GECOM and its officials are claiming.
The Federation also could not miss that there seems to be an uneven application of the decision regarding the utilization of private residences for polling day. The limitation or outright end of the utilization of such venues in some areas when contrasted with almost no change, if not an expansion, of similar venues in other areas cannot be seen as helpful or even embracing of the purported recommendation the Commission says its pursuing.
The end of the use private residences and the amalgamation of several polling venues which, according to several reports, will have to serve thousands of voters appear to us to be a recipe for confusion. Apart from that, it has been disclosed, in some instances voters will have to travel some distance to their newly identified polling station. And in other cases, we have seen that polling stations, which will serve hundreds if not thousands of voters, will be sited in playfields under tents. Such arrangements, in our view, does not lend to a convenient or to an even conducive atmosphere for electors. Of concern too is that, it appears that initially there was an intention to continue to utilize, like in the past, many of the previous residences used as polling stations.
We share the view as expressed by the February 23, Stabroek News editorial which said “…it is hardly likely that the Center would countenance the implementation of any of its recommendations in a manner that potentially creates disruptions in the ease with which electors can cast ballots just days before the polls.” The reduction of convenient and accessible polling stations, in our view, cannot be seen as helpful to this important democratic process. Indeed, we share the view that it could well be deemed as voter suppression. With many and several concerns in the air regarding the conduct of the election, the decision to limit polling stations in certain villages and communities will only serve to raise concern and heighten anxieties and apprehension. This is certainly not a positive development and we endorse calls for the GECOM to address this significant issue meaningfully in the interest of all Guyanese.
