Senior Multimedia Reporter
radhica.sookraj@guardian.co.tt
Voting was momentarily halted at Polling Division 4480 at the Siparia West Secondary School yesterday due to disputes over polling cards. This was one of the few discrepancies noted in the elections for the newly minted Borough of Siparia Regional Corporation, an area that witnessed a surge in voter traffic during the afternoon.
Candidates were informed about an issue involving polling cards that prevented them from voting.
Jason Ali, a UNC candidate, said: “There is a long line of people waiting to vote but the EBC has suspended voting.”
However, he said quick action by the UNC legal team saw voting resume within 20 minutes.
Earlier in the morning, a separate issue arose at the 4505 polling station at the Pepper Village Government School.
A voter, who requested anonymity, expressed concern over the deputy presiding officer’s oversight in instructing how to fold the ballot: “The presiding officer did not sign it. I remembered that the initials had to be on the outside. She eventually initialled it. This is not a mistake to be made so early in the morning.”
Despite these initial hiccups, there was a steady stream of voters. During the morning, mostly elderly and infirm citizens exercised their democratic rights. Among them was Lloyd Baker, a visually impaired retired seaman.
“I used to come back to vote when I worked abroad. The English people emphasised the importance of voting, and I always made it a point,” Baker proudly declared as he displayed his ink-stained finger.
Lily Mohammed said she voted at the Avocat Vedic School although she was feeling unwell.
“I had to come out today even though I am not feeling too well. I am dizzy right now,” she said.
The area around the La Divina Pastora Church in Siparia was abuzz with voters. One of them, Ignatius Voisin, nephew of Parang Queen Daisy Voisin, shared his excitement.
“I always come out early to vote. I am going now to rest and wait to watch the results,” he said.
Andy Bernard, area manager at the St Brigid’s Girls RC School, commended the voting procedures.
Bernard, who supported PNM candidate Kamaludeen Ghany, said, “Everything is going smoothly in the Siparia West/Avocat area. We are trying to help people as best as possible.”
Welcome Paul, the first person to vote at St Brigid’s, said, “I wake up at 5 am and come here. I always said I want to be the first person to vote and I am here.”
The sentiment of a hassle-free process was echoed by Judy Gould and Marlon Mahabir, the presiding officer at South Oropouche RC School.
Doodnath Mayrhoo, candidate for Avocat North/San Francique, felt positive about the voter turnout.
“Usually, local government elections don’t see the same turnout as general elections, but I am optimistic more people will participate today,” he said.
The Siparia Borough Corporation comprises nearly 87,000 residents across 63 communities. There are more than 73,000 registered voters across nine electoral regions.
In the last election there was a turnout of 41.82 per cent with the UNC winning six seats and the PNM three.