At the close of polls opposition parties charged there were incidents of multiple voting in government strongholds and complained about scuffles outside some voting centers.
Steve Surujbally, chairman of the elections commission, told international media covering the election his agency is looking into several allegations from the opposition. However he called them "very, very, tiny" incidents that would not mar the elections.
"It did not go too badly, but we had some really stupid and nonsensical episodes that we are sorting out," Surujbally told the Associated Press (AP).
Gordon Shirley, head of observers from the Organization of American States (OAS), said turnout appeared very high. By the early afternoon, more than half of the 476,000 eligible voters had cast their ballots, he told AP.
The PPP had been under extreme pressure during the election campaign with the opposition charging that it was corrupt and was in bed with drug lords.
Steve Surujbally, chairman of the elections commission, told international media covering the election his agency is looking into several allegations from the opposition. However he called them "very, very, tiny" incidents that would not mar the elections.
"It did not go too badly, but we had some really stupid and nonsensical episodes that we are sorting out," Surujbally told the Associated Press (AP).
Gordon Shirley, head of observers from the Organization of American States (OAS), said turnout appeared very high. By the early afternoon, more than half of the 476,000 eligible voters had cast their ballots, he told AP.
The PPP had been under extreme pressure during the election campaign with the opposition charging that it was corrupt and was in bed with drug lords.
Economist Donald Ramotar, who is seeking to succeed President Bharrat Jagdeo had pledged continuity. He campaigned on a promise to continue Jagdeo's policies by safeguarding vital mining and agricultural sectors and improving education in Guyana. Jagdeo could not run, having served two terms.
At the close of the polls Ramotar remained confident of another victory by the PPP, which held 36 of 65 seats in the last parliament.
"We have been able to demonstrate that we don't discriminate in our government policies and the resources of the country have been distributed to every single region very fairly," Ramotar told reporters. "We will win bigger this time."
Retired army commander David Granger, the presidential candidate for the Partnership For National Unity (PNC) coalition accused the government of racial discrimination and pledged to set up a national unity government if he wins.
"I look forward to establishing a government which could represent all of the interests of our people," Granger said.
At the close of the polls Ramotar remained confident of another victory by the PPP, which held 36 of 65 seats in the last parliament.
"We have been able to demonstrate that we don't discriminate in our government policies and the resources of the country have been distributed to every single region very fairly," Ramotar told reporters. "We will win bigger this time."
Retired army commander David Granger, the presidential candidate for the Partnership For National Unity (PNC) coalition accused the government of racial discrimination and pledged to set up a national unity government if he wins.
"I look forward to establishing a government which could represent all of the interests of our people," Granger said.
The Alliance For Change party was led by attorney Khemraj Ramjattan, who was was considered a minor player whose role would be to take votes from the two main candidates.
"We have to change this system of indecent governance and eliminate the rising tide of corruption in the country," Ramjattan said after voting.
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