By Prior Beharry
HEAVY rains caused by a tropical wave over Trinidad and Tobago have affected the voter turnout of the United National Congress (UNC) internal elections on Sunday.
The whole country experienced rainfall and flooding was reported in many parts of the country.
Incumbent political leader of the UNC Kamla Persad-Bissessar, who is vying to retain her position against Dr Fuad Khan, said there were flooding and loss of electricity in many of her party strongholds in south Trinidad. She said the voter turnout was still excellent despite the inclement weather.
There were reports of flooding in her Siparia constituency along Clarke Road and Penal Rock Road in Penal. Flooding was also witnessed in Fyzabad and Oropouche
UNC officials also said there was a loss of electricity at polling stations in the constituencies of Naparima and Chaguanas.
One report noted that lightning struck a pole near the Lengua Presbyterian School which was being used as a polling station.
Heading the Star TeamPersad-Bissessar, who voted at the Parvati Girls’ Hindu College just after 12 noon on Sunday, said, “There was enthusiasm from the thousands of UNC members who came out and voted despite bad weather.”
Dr Khan said the rain did affect the voter turnout and claimed that voters were receiving text messages to vote for members of the Star Team. He said UNC MPs were visible at polling stations.
Election Officer candidate Ramona Ramdial who is going up against Don Slyvester of the Star Team admitted too that the voter turnout was slow.
She said, “I would even say that this was the lowest voter turnout of any internal elections.”
Ramdial, like Dr Khan, said there were a number of discrepancies with people canvassing in some polling stations and people voting whose names were on the voter’s list.
Head of the elections committee Ramesh Persad Maharaj admitted that there were some people in their exuberance who were allegedly canvassing, but this was immediately stopped.
He said that voters included only people whose names were on the voting list.
