Holly Ann Bristol, a differently-abled candidate representing the Forward Guyana Movement (FGM), faced significant obstacles at her polling station this morning while attempting to vote.
Arriving at 9:20 a.m. to cast her ballot, Bristol, who uses a wheelchair, discovered that her designated polling station was located on the upper floor of the building, rendering it inaccessible. As of 11:20 a.m., she had still not been able to exercise her constitutional right to vote.
Polling officials suggested that two staff members could lift her up the steep staircase, but Bristol declined this option due to safety concerns. The Returning Officer indicated that the matter was escalated to the Chief Elections Officer (CEO) of GECOM, who confirmed that no other accommodations could be provided apart from the unsafe lifting option.
Bristol remains on-site, engaged in a standoff with GECOM as she awaits a viable solution that would allow her to vote with dignity and without compromising her safety. The situation highlights ongoing accessibility issues within the electoral process and raises questions about provisions for differently-abled voters in Guyana.
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