‘Unfortunate’ President, First Lady unable to vote – Gov’t, GECOM officials

President David Granger and Frist Lady Sandra Granger were among the group of Guyanese who were unable to cast their ballots at the Local Government polls on Monday.

The President, who is currently in Cuba, missed his scheduled return on Sunday. He is in Cuba to seek medical attention with several government officials indicating that he did not receive clearance from his doctors there to travel back home.

Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo who is executing the duties as President, said members of the David Granger Government were saddened over the situation where the President was not able to cast his ballot as an exemplar to the process.

Granger, while in Opposition, had pressured the then PPP Government to hold Local Government Elections.

“Each citizen is entitled to a vote, one man, one woman, one vote,” Nagamootoo said after casting his vote earlier today.

He did not give an impression that as acting President he was appraised of the President’s health status or possible return date but would only tell reporters that doctors would have advised him [President Granger] not to travel.

“I can only guess that he might have been advised not to travel.”

Meanwhile, Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) officials could not confirm whether any special arrangements were made to allow the President and First Lady to cast their ballots.

GECOM’s Public Relations Officer (PRO), Yolanda Ward said that it was rather unfortunate that the President and his wife were not here to vote.

“The President not being here is rather unfortunate but elections end today for us. If any special arrangements have been made that would be at a different level,” the PRO said.

On October 30, President Granger and First Lady, Sandra Granger departed Guyana for Cuba where he underwent a series of tests to determine his sickness.

The Ministry of the Presidency had initially stated that the first couple will return in time for LGE.

On November 7, the Ministry of the PResidency informed the nation that the Head-of-State was released from the Centre for Medical, Surgical Research in Havana, Cuba following an intensive series of tests by specialist doctors.

“Clinical analyses are still incomplete and it is expected that the Guyana Embassy in Havana will issue a statement when enough evidence is available,” the statement had noted.

Prior to his departure to Cuba, President Granger said he has developed some “symptoms” which need further investigation and that investigation can only be done in Cuba.

In May this year, Mr and Mrs Granger visited Trinidad and Tobago for a medical checkup where they were both given a clean bill of health.