Cops respond to Goed Intent protest after claim of fake ID distribution
Police were yesterday called to respond to a protest outside the Goed Intent/ Patentia Neighbourhood Dem-ocratic Council (NDC) sparked by the allegation that forged national identification (ID) cards were being distributed for persons to vote.
Regional Commander Simon McBean said the police received a report minutes after 1 pm yesterday about persons selling fake ID cards. “The crowd alleged that there were persons selling or having fake ID cards and attempting to vote. They fingered one person who turned out to be a legitimate voter,” he said.
McBean noted as well that the person was able to vote.
The commander added that a bus from where the cards were being distributed could not be found and no arrest was made. It would appear that the controversy had no basis.
When this newspaper visited the area, a large crowd stood on both sides of the Goed Intent Public Road to protest. Those gathered alleged that the persons distributing the cards were supporters of the opposition PPP/C. Several persons shouted to police with riot shields in the back of a pick-up that they were not going to allow the PPP/C to return to power.
Meanwhile, a group of persons stood outside a house accusing a Goed Intent resident of allowing her yard to be a venue for illegal acts. One of the protestors said he learnt that a tent was put up at the residence from where persons were distributing ID cards. The occupant noted that the house belongs to her uncle and she was only renting it. She further indicated that she was in no way involved in whatever it was alleged occurred there. She noted that during the time the alleged activity was said to be ongoing, she was not at home.
The woman also said that on Sunday night she heard from a relative about plans to put a tent in front of her residence but she said she had no idea what was the purpose. Her next door neighbour told this newspaper that there was indeed a red tent and he saw persons coming and going but he didn’t pay much attention to what was going on. However, it was agreed by the woman and her neighbour that when the police arrived at the NDC where persons were already protesting, the tent was taken down and the persons left. It would appear that the tent was intended to provide information to voters.
Commander McBean, when later asked whether he knew of the tent in the yard or the allegations that fake ID cards were being distributed at this location, said that he was not aware of such and would initiate an investigation.
A Carter Center observer team was also at the scene, having only arrived after the incident and its members were trying to get to the bottom of the situation.
PPP General Secretary Bharrat Jagdeo, in a release, later said that his party was not responsible for any incident regarding fake ID cards. He further accused the incumbent APNU+AFC of organising the unrest so that their supporters would prevent supporters of the PPP/C from voting. “….Obviously APNU has seen the strong turnout in PPP strongholds and they have witnessed the low turnouts in many areas in Georgetown… therefore they are reacting in a predictable manner [and] have started making wild accusations and started mobilizing people. I think they are in full panic mode…,” he said. “Why would we want to distribute ID cards openly to people on Election Day in front of the entire media and everyone else?” he asked, while also noting that it was unlikely that any persons with such cards would be able to vote as the Presiding Officers were controlled by the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) and would have folios with photos of each person that turns up to vote.