By Sue-Ann Wayow
ALL candidates under the United National Congress (UNC) Coalition of Interests are being asked to co-operate with the party’s legal teams on election day.
On Thursday, UNC political leader Kamla-Bissessar said there were approximately 200 lawyers who have stepped forward to assist the UNC.
Speaking at campaign meeting in Barrackpore, she said, “We have over 190 lawyers who have come forward to help us in this election, voluntarily. We will station them in every constituency.
“Every constituency will be protected. The lawyers will be there. I am asking all candidates, please work with the legal teams especially for that election day, please share your (election day machinery) data with the legal team. They are loyal and dedicated and they know about client confidentiality.”
Persad-Bissessar lamented the state of the country under the PNM economically and criminally.
She said, “Last night, one of the young men helping the UNC with the programme Suits Up was robbed at gunpoint in Diego Martin. No more of that! We must work together to bring down the crime!”
Persad-Bissessar also took time to speak to young persons who will be eligible to vote on Monday.
She said those are the ones who would have been children still when the PNM took office back in 2015.
“What you see happening today with all this hardship, out-of-control crime, home invasions, murders, joblessness, and hopelessness is not how T&T used to be. There is a big difference between the UNC and other parties, especially the PNM. The UNC party serves the people when the UNC is in Government,” Persad-Bissessar said.
She urged supporters to ensure UNC candidate Michelle Benjamin returns to the parliamentary seat of Moruga/Tableland but this time on the government’s side and to not blame Benjamin for the years of neglect the constituency faced.
The UNC’s plans for two main sectors agriculture and youth development were outlined.
Persad-Bissessar promised that agriculture will not be a forgotten sector under her leadership and she will resolve historic injustices.
“Caroni Workers and Cane Farmers, all outstanding residential and agricultural land under the VSEP will be delivered. Severance, pensions, and EU cane farmer payments will be paid in full. Lands will be transferable, and justice will be restored,” she promised.
A special agricultural court will also be set up to handle theft cases swiftly with harsher penalties Persad-Bissessar said.
She also said, “We should consider removing VAT on locally produced meat, dairy and agricultural goods.”
Under youth development Persad-Bissessar said the UNC will work to ensure a 16-year-old have more to hope for than a gun or a hustle through skills and career training.
“With the UNC, we will create a new national promise: that no youth will be left behind, and no talent will go undeveloped!” she declared.
The UNC minifestos on crime, youth, health and other sectors was not by accident.
“It is because we listened to you for ten years, so we know what you want,” Persad-Bissessar told supporters.
The meeting at Vickar’s carpark in Barrackpore ended with performances by soca star Iwer George, chutney queen Drupatee, Squeezy Rankin and Dubraj Persad.
