"The political opposition’s stronghold support in Region 4 is being credited for its pull ahead of the other contesting political parties."
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Preliminary results in from three regions – 71.5 per cent voter turnout reported
OUT of a total of 570,787 registered voters and some 2,299 polling stations, the votes of 29,505 voters at 114 polling stations in Regions 4 (Demerara/ Mahaica), 5 (Mahaica/ Berbice) and 6 (East Berbice/ Corentyne) have been processed by the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) for the General elections. On the question of regional elections, the votes of 33,786 voters at 129 polling stations in electoral districts 4, 5 and 6 have been processed.
GECOM Chairman, Dr Steve Surujbally (Photos by Adrian Narine)
There are some 1,423 polling stations in the three regions from which Statements of Poll were transmitted.
Consequently, A Partnership for National Unity and the Alliance For Change (APNU+AFC) is currently leading with 13,867 votes in the general elections, and 13,989 in regional elections.
The political opposition’s stronghold support in Region 4 is being credited for its pull ahead of the other contesting political parties.
GECOM CEO, Mr Keith Lowenfield
The ruling People Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) has managed to secure 7,070 votes in the general elections, and 9,930 in regional elections.
The United Force (TUF) took 21 votes in the general elections and 36 in regional elections; while the United Republican Party (URP) secured 11 and 66 votes in the general and regional polls respectively. The National Independence Party (NIP) received the support of 13 in the general elections alone, while the Healing the Nation Theocracy Party (HTNT) secured 29 votes in the regional polls. The Independent Party (IP) took home 19 votes in the general elections and the Organisation for the Victory of the People (OVP) secured 46 votes in the regional elections.
Altogether, eight political parties contested the 2015 General and Regional elections.
The voter turnout, according to GECOM’s numbers, average at 71.5 per cent.
These preliminary numbers, reflected in the Statements of Polls that have been verified by GECOM Commissioners and then processed for release, reflect the most recent tallies released to the media yesterday.
STILL TO COME
According to GECOM’s Chief Elections Officer (CEO), Mr Keith Lowenfield SoPs – relative to the General and Regional elections – from Regions 1 (Barima/ Waini), 2 (Pomeroon /Supenaam), 3 and parts of Region 4 are still to be transmitted to him at the GECOM’s Command Centre, High Street, Kingston.
SoPs from Regions 7 (Cuyuni/ Mazaruni), 8 (Potaro/ Siparuni), 9 (Upper Takutu/ Upper Essequibo), and 10 (Upper Demerara/ Upper Berbice), as well as sections of Region 6 are also to be transmitted to the CEO.
According to Lowenfield several challenges, including the weather, prevented the transmission of the Statements of Poll from the hinterland regions, Regions 1, 7, 8 and 9, as well as some parts of 10.
He added that in all three regions SoPs had to be sent back to the Returning Officers of the polling stations for corrections to be made.
“We will continue to provide results as we receive them,” the Chief Elections Officer assured, adding that over 1,800 statements were in GECOM’s possession as of last night.
NEED FOR REVIEW
Meanwhile, the GECOM Chairman, who also made comments during yesterday’s media engagement, plugged the need for a review of Guyana’s electoral system, related legal framework and the use of technology.
However, all considered, he committed that the Commission will follow the letter of the law. “The law tells us which steps we must take, before the CEO is given the greenlight to make pronouncements (on the elections results),” he declared.
The next release of updated preliminary numbers is expected today.
By Vanessa Narine