FROM as early as 6 am on election day, voters steadily flowed in and out of polling stations across the La Horquetta/Talparo and Malabar/Mausica constituencies with many describing the process as a smooth process.

La Horquetta/Talparo is considered a marginal seat and was separated by 1,923 votes when the PNM won with 9,713 votes and the received UNC 7,790 in the 2020 general election.

This year, the seat is being contested by Foster Cummings (PNM), who won in 2020, Phillip Watts (UNC), Alvin Cudjoe (NTA) and Rekeisha Francois of the Patriotic Front (PF).

Francois cast her vote at the La Horquetta South Primary School around 8.30 am and said it went well.

"The line was a little long but it was just the time I came. I expected the line, but it was a good and smooth process."

In Talparo, Watts cast his vote around 9.10 am and also shared his experience.

"The process was a bit slow, but I got through eventually."

[caption id="attachment_1152008" align="alignnone" width="1024"] Voters wait in line at Carapo RC Primary School, La Horquetta/Talparo constituency, during the general election on April 28. - Photo by Angelo Marcelle[/caption]

Asked about his observations on the voter turnout in the constituency, he said, "The voter turnout is normal. I personally visited some of the polling stations myself in La Horquetta and Wallerfield between 6 and 7 am and it was flowing okay. The only complaint I have received was the lines taking long to move."

Newsday visited three of the four voting locations in the La Horquetta district: the La Horquetta Regional Complex, La Horquetta RC Parish Hall and the La Horquetta South Primary School.

Newsday saw most of the voters in La Horquetta being either middle-aged or senior citizens. The demographic was not much different in Talparo, as 96-year-old Melissa Baptiste cast her vote at the Talparo RC School.

Newsday spoke to one first-time voter in La Horquetta who identified herself as 18-year-old Sariah and shared her experience.

"It was really good. Everybody in there was helpful, patient and guided me through the process."

Asked why she thought it was important to vote as a first-time voter, she said, "Voting gives you a choice in your future. If you don't vote, you're basically saying that you're okay with whatever is happening.

[caption id="attachment_1152009" align="alignnone" width="1024"] Ronald Baptiste helps his 96-year-old grandmother Melissa Baptiste, after she voted at Talparo RC School during the general election on April 28. - Photo by Angelo Marcelle[/caption]

"Every vote matters and if you want to have a say in what happens in the country, it will be better for you."

Steady lines were also seen in the constituency of Malabar/Mausica. At the Carapo Community Centre and Carapo RC School, two candidates cast their votes.

PNM's candidate for Malabar/Mausica Dominic Romain voted that the Carapo Community Centre around 10.20 am.

"The process was smooth even though I did not receive my poll card, so that added some minutes to the process, b