Sidney ‘Bicho' Justiana, Chairman of the Education Trade Union Sitek, supports the No-option. He has planned a peaceful day for today. After casting his vote in Boca Sami, he will head for the Sitek-office and afterwards hit the streets to take cognizance of the situation. He will learn about the outcome later on in the evening when he gets home. Justiana hopes that, whatever the outcome will be tonight, all parties will respect it.
"Although I am worried about today's turnout. There are only two options. There is no possibility of giving a blank ballot paper, contrary to normal elections. 46 Percent did not show up at the previous election. I hope that this percentage will not be surpassed." According to Justiana, the most important question is however, how will Curaçao continue after today. "We must start re-constructing this island. The losers must surmount their disappointment, whilst the winners must forget their euphoria. We must go on together."
Remco Gomez, member of the Island council for the PAR, is convinced that Yes will win. He will cast his vote at the Maris Stella school in Brakkeput in the morning. Afterwards he will accompany family members and friends to the polling stations. He will then spend most of the day with the PAR-sede. The PAR-member has no doubt whatsoever as to who is going to win. "I know for sure. ‘Yes' will come off best today. If you watch the people in the streets, you will notice that they distinctly demonstrate their preference for Yes. It is obvious to me. Yes will win. I hope that this day remains peaceful and that all will go well. I am not concerned, and have no fear."
Convinced of victory.
MAN-State-member Dwigno Puriel is seated in the coordination team of No. He has a busy day ahead of him. Early this morning he cast his vote at his polling station in Sta. Rosa, and then headed towards the FK-party building on the Rooseveltweg. This building is be used as sally base and coordination center for the No-camp. Puriel intends to visit many polling stations today to take cognizance of the progress of the voting process.
Puriel is very positive with respect to the chances for No today. "I am convinced of a victory. When I consider the run on T-shirts yesterday, the high attendance upon closure of the No-campaign yesterday at the PLKP-sede, then I think we stand a good chance.
I do not think that one of the options will win by two lengths, but I am counting on a victory of 60 percent for No. With a distinct victory, the discussion will be over and done with."
The MAN-member says he is not afraid of a violent outbreak later this evening. "I do not feel this and also do not see this happening. I think these are just stories spread by the opposition."
No longer ‘1969'.
Curtley ‘Gino' Valeriaan, is the spokesperson of Fundashon Kòrsou su Futuro, who labored for Yes with the referendum. He will cast his vote at the LTS in Saliña today. He also expects to be busy all day with the organization of the Yes-campaign. "I am stand-by the whole day and will support the organization where necessary."
Not for a second, does Valeriaan doubt the victory for Yes. "That discussion is over and done with. I consider an overwhelming victory with 70 to 60 percent for Yes. Why? Because of the package, we negotiated. You cannot always get the full 100%, but Yes is 100% better than what No has to offer. I saw how the community responded to our campaign during the last few weeks, and also our large margin in all surveys." We must not forget that this is not 1969. This community has developed since then."