In a powerful display of inclusion and determination, persons with disabilities (PWDs) turned out to cast their ballots at the General and Regional Elections today.
From wheelchair users navigating polling stations to visually impaired voters making use of special provisions, their participation underscored both the importance of equal access to the democratic process and the growing efforts to ensure that every voice is heard at the polls.
Speaking with Ignite News after casting his ballot at the New Silvercity Secondary polling station in Linden, Region Ten, We Invest in Nationhood (WIN) Candidate, Amin Britton, who is visually impaired, described the process as seamless.
“The process was smooth, I’m surprised with the time I get in and get out. At least from my personal experience, it was better than 2020,” he indicated.
Making a comparison between this year’s voting process and 2020, Britton said it was smoother this year as he experienced no hiccups.
Also speaking with Ignite News from Linden after casting his ballot at the Watooka Day Primary School as soon as the polls opened at 6 am, resident Desmond Bremner explained that he experienced no issues during the voting process.
“These hours in the morning, everything go reasonably smooth. Simple, we go in one after the other, they collect your name, ID card, you collect your paper, fold it– no rush,” he explained.
Assisted with walking by use of a cane, Bremner added that he had no difficulties getting to the polling station.
Among the many first-time voters in Region Two was Edon Singh of Charity, who proudly described the voting process as “simple” and said he was happy to have cast his ballot.
Despite living with disabilities, Singh was determined to exercise his democratic right.
He was accompanied to the polling station by his foster mother, Pastor Oprah, who ensured he had the opportunity to vote for the party he believes in.
In contrast, the Forward Guyana Movement reported that differently-abled candidate Holly Ann Bristol encountered a major challenge at her assigned polling station this morning.
Bristol, who uses a wheelchair, arrived at 9:20 am to cast her vote. However, the polling station was located on the upper flat of the building, making it inaccessible to her.
According to officials, GECOM suggested that two of its staff carry her up the steep staircase but Bristol declined this option, citing safety concerns.
Bristol remained on-site as she awaited a workable solution.
Yet another voter, Chandrashakar Bisnauth, who walks with a prosthetic leg, also complained about difficulty accessing his polling station as he was unable to climb the stairs.
“I can’t go up the steps, I got a prosthetic leg and I only got it two weeks. They say they can’t come out of the building to do it. They refusing me to vote. Last election I had the same problem– they came outside, we vote. Now, I can’t vote,” he complained.
