If the number of early voters who turned up to vote in Christ Church East is any indication, then few people seem to be heading to the polls to mark their X – at least in that constituency; but it’s early yet.
Between 6 a.m. and 8. 30 a.m., there were no crowds at some of the polling stations in this constituency, including St Christopher Primary School, the Church of the Nazarene St Christopher and the Inch Marlow Resource Centre.
At around 9 a.m., there were fewer than 10 people waiting to enter the church, while over at the school, again, few people stood in the two lines leading into this facility to cast their vote. A steady flow waited patiently in the sun at the resource centre.
Barbados Labour Party’s Wilfred Abrahams, was the first candidate to be seen as he cast his vote around 7 a.m. at the resource centre. He was followed around 8:15 a.m. by Independent Brian Talma.
Abrahams told The Nation he was pleased to see people following the health protocols, including that of physical distancing, adding that he was also pleased to witness those who turned out during the first hour of the morning.
“I feel good, and I cannot wait until the last vote is counted. We know the work we have done in the last 21 days and even before that,” he said.
He stressed that voting was a critical process in a General Election and that, “it is now up to God and the people” to have the final say.
Talma said he felt his process of running as an Independent was a huge success so far, and spoke of his contributions to the youth within the constituency and even outside the constituency.
“I see the need to run. I have no time to go to politicians and convince them to work with me. Some people say that I am a beach bum, but I am not a beach bum. I am highly respected internationally, and I get paid for what I do. I think outside the box,” the award-winning surfer and entrepreneur said.
When contacted just before 9 a.m., the Democratic Labour Party’s candidate, Dr Denis Lowe said he was “busy moving around in the constituency,” and that he would cast his vote around 2 p.m. at the Fairy Valley Wesleyan Holiness Church.
The Nation team could not contact Solutions Barbados candidate for Christ Church East Pauline Corbin, or Alliance Party for Progress candidate, Victor Knight. (CH)