Disciplined Forces Ballots will be stamped on Election Day – GECOM

[www.inewsguyana.com] – The Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) in an urgent media release stated that the ballot papers issued to members of the Disciplined Forces on Saturday, May 02 will not be stamped with the official six digit stamp when they are given to ranks for them to vote.

Instead stamping of those ballots will be done on Election Day – May 11 – when they are sent to be intermixed and counted at Polling Stations where it will be Gazetted, as is required by Law.

“GECOM takes this opportunity to guarantee that the votes cast by all members of the Disciplined Forces WILL BE COUNTED on Election Day…the entire process i.e. voting, sorting and intermixing relative to voting by members of the Disciplined Forces are being observed by Agents of the Political Parties and Local and International Observers,” the release noted.

Military personnel will be confined from May 06, in preparation for deployment in support of the Guyana Police Force as becomes necessary on May 11.

It is traditional for the military to vote several days ahead of the general public so that troops can be available for service to the nation as the need arises during and even after the period of National Elections.

Only recently, Army Chief of Staff, Brigadier General Mark Phillips briefed servicemen and women of the GDF on their role regarding the conduct of duties and their service to the nation as soldiers and citizens for the upcoming national elections.