Members of the Disciplined Forces turned out early Friday morning to cast their ballots as the first phase of voting for Guyana’s September 1, 2025, general and regional elections got underway.
Polls opened promptly at 6:00 a.m. across the country, and according to election officials, the process proceeded smoothly.
Government-nominated Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) Commissioner Sase Gunraj, who toured several polling stations, confirmed that voting began on schedule. “The reports that we have received thus far is that everywhere was opened on time. No major issues at this point. I hope that this continues so that we can have the process concluded with as little incident as possible,” Gunraj said.
Another GECOM Commissioner, Clement Rohee, also commended the conduct of the exercise, noting the calm atmosphere. “From observation, the process seems to be moving smoothly. Procedures are being followed. From what I have observed everything seems to be calm and hopefully it would proceed like that for the rest of the day,” he told News Room.
Deputy Chief Elections Officer Aneal Giddings acknowledged minor issues with some party agents arriving without their required letters of appointment or accreditation. “Some of the parties would not have issued their letters or their appointments,” he explained, but stressed that presiding officers and ballot attendants were working with the agents to ensure proper representation while keeping the process on track. Importantly, he said, this did not delay the opening of polls.
Giddings also confirmed that aircraft movements were underway to transport election materials and personnel in Regions One, Eight, and Nine.
The wider electorate is scheduled to cast ballots on September 1, when polls open nationwide.
