The voters complained to one police officer manning the centre, who in turn replied that they should just be patient lest “they get injured over casting their ballot.”
“Who has the guts to challenge a soldier? You have all been quiet and want me to challenge him and get hurt in the process,” said the police officer.
Voters here expressed their displeasure at the soldiers’ conduct whom they accused of intimidating them with “their uniforms”.
“While it is not an offense to cast your ballot while wearing your uniform, this is a deliberate ploy to ensure that we do not challenge their conduct because we know they are violent and notorious for beating citizens up,” said one man who refused to be identified.
Another voter suggested: “These soldiers should be in the queue like everyone else. I would understand if it was a nurse, a pregnant woman or an old person."
Voter turnout at most polling centers in Gunhill, Mt Pleasant and Borrowdale was low in the early hours of the day, but small winding queues could be seen developing by mid-morning.
Most of the voters expressed satisfaction with the efficiency of the polling agents, whom they described as “committed to a free, fair and transparent voting process.”
One voter said; “We hope they engage the same gear and commitment to efficiency in the next general elections.”
Despite the poor turnout, the “yes” vote is expected to carry the day, as most of the voters interviewed said they had endorsed the draft constitution.
Post published in: News