Polling agents deployed across country

Aug 22, 2025 News

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…as political parties exude confidence in today’s disciplined forces voting

By Shania Williams

Kaieteur News – As members of the Disciplined Forces cast their ballots today ahead of the September 1 elections, political parties contesting the General and Regional Elections have declared their readiness.

The six parties that are contesting the elections include the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C), A Partnership for National Unity (APNU), the Alliance For Change (AFC), the Forward Guyana Movement (FGM), the Assembly for Liberty and Prosperity (ALP), and We Invest in Nationhood (WIN).

However, four of the six political parties confirmed to Kaieteur News on Thursday that they have completed all necessary preparations, including the assignment of polling agents to nearly every polling station, to help ensure a smooth and transparent electoral process.

Members of the Guyana Defense Force (GDF), Guyana Police Force (GPF), and Guyana Prison Service (GPS) are set to cast their votes today. Speaking with several parties on Thursday, all affirmed that they are fully prepared, with polling agents assigned across most polling stations in the various regions.

APNU’s Elections Agent, Carol Smith-Joseph, confidently confirmed their preparedness. When asked whether APNU had sufficient agents at polling stations, she stated firmly, “The APNU is always ready. The People’s National Congress Reform (PNCR) is the largest stakeholder in the APNU, and we are always ready.”

AFC leader Nigel Hughes also expressed optimism about his party’s readiness. “We are well prepared for tomorrow (Friday),” he said. When asked whether he anticipated any challenges, he referenced a potential issue involving FGM’s omission from the national ballot in Regions 7, 8, and 9, an issue he acknowledged could disrupt the voting process.

Additionally, speaking with AFC Election Agent Nicola Trotman, she further confirmed the party’s preparedness, stating, “We are prepared for the Disciplined Services voting. All relevant ballot boxes were dispatched this morning (Thursday), and we had agents accompany most of them. We will be covering the majority of balloting stations.”

Trotman added that the process has so far been smooth, highlighting that the first stage of verification had been completed, ensuring that polling agents are assigned to stations where their ballots are located, allowing them to vote if they choose.

FGM leader Amanza Walton-Desir also confirmed her party’s readiness, despite ongoing legal concerns over its omission from the national ballot in Regions 7, 8, and 9 which are areas heavily populated by Indigenous communities. She stated that her party has polling agents dispatched to all 10 regions across Guyana. “We are prepared for this election. We have fielding agents in most of the polling stations as we continue to prepare for September 1, but I am genuinely satisfied for tomorrow’s (Friday) elections,” she said. The Presidential Candidate expressed confidence in a smooth electoral process, stating, “The logistics seem to be in place.

Commenting on the party’s exclusion from several regions, Walton-Desir stated that the situation places the FGM at a significant disadvantage, particularly for members of the Joint Services who may have wished to vote for the party in those areas. “We will seek the court’s clarification on as many of these issues as possible,” she said.

WIN party representative Odessa Primus echoed similar confidence in her party’s preparations. She confirmed that WIN has assigned agents to all polling stations for today’s vote. “We have agents covering the polling stations,” she stated. When asked about concerns, she responded, “At this point, our primary focus is securing the ballots. prior to the voting, because we are confident that the votes are ours.”

Multiple attempts to contact PPP/C Election Agent and Minister of Agriculture Zulfikar Mustapha, as well as ALP leader Simona Broomes, were unsuccessful.

During a press conference on Monday, the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) also confirmed its readiness for today’s Disciplined Forces vote. Deputy Chief Election Officer (DCEO) Aneal Giddings stated, “Yes, we are well poised for the conduct of these elections on Friday. All logistical arrangements have been made. At this point, there is nothing, aside from force majeure, that would prevent such conduct.”

According to GECOM, the breakdown of ballots distributed to the Disciplined Services is as follows: 6,909 for the Guyana Police Force, 3,106 for the Guyana Defence Force, and 466 for the Guyana Prison Service. To be eligible to vote, members of the Disciplined Services must be at least 18 years old, registered, and listed on the Disciplined Forces voters’ list.

Those unable to vote today will have the opportunity to cast their ballots on September 1 in their respective registered areas.

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• A Partnership For National Unity, Disciplined Forces, Guyana Elections, People’s Progressive Party Civic, Political Parties, Polling agents, We Invest in Nationhood

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