‘GDF fully prepared for any eventuality’ – President Ali

The Guyana Defence Force (GDF) is prepared to handle any unrest if they arise during the election period, Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces and President of Guyana, Dr Irfaan Ali said on Friday.

After observing the voting process at Police Officers Mess Annex, Eve Leary where some members of the Disciplined Forces are casting their ballots ahead of the September 1 general and regional elections, the President said, “they’ve [GDF] assured me that they have every system in place; they’ve assured me that they have the equipment, the manpower, and they have a well laid out system to deal with any issues if they arise.

We don’t believe that this will be the case, but they are prepared for any eventuality.”

Meanwhile, Dr Ali, who is the Presidential Candidate of the ruling PPP/C, said the voting process appeared to be “smooth and efficient.”

“I didn’t pay attention to the turnaround time of the voters, I was paying attention to the process, I was listening to the announcements…and the presiding officers. I am sure as the process as it picks up, it’s going to be much faster.”

While the PPP/C’s party agents have not experienced any issues thus far, it was reported that some political parties did not issue their agents with accreditation to enter the polling places.