Caption: Leila Ramsawak showing off her stamped hand after voting at the Union Presbyterian Primary School in Claxton Bay. AZP News/Sue-Ann Wayow
By Sue-Ann Wayow
UNITED National Congress (UNC) members turned out in their numbers on Saturday to cast their vote in the party’s internal election.
Voters started reaching polling stations from before 8 am in what has been dubbed “the mother of all UNC internal elections.” Voters are getting a stamp on their hands since there are two bye-elections on Monday when they have to dip their finger in ink.
By 4 pm, Chairman of the UNC Elections Management Committee Darrell Allahar told AZP News that the day’s proceedings thus far were going well with minor issues.
There was a bit of a mix-up with the lists of names which was soon sorted out, he said.
Additionally, “There were some over enthusiasm outside and inside the polling stations by both sides,” Allahar said.
Social media videos showed clashes between the STAR team and the United Patriot (UP) supporters. That too was quieted down in a short time, Allahar said.
The Star team is led by current political leader Kamla Persad-Bissessar while UP is being led by Mayaro MP Rushton Paray.
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Allahar said the last person by the polling station to be there at 6 pm will be allowed to vote.
“When that last person cast their vote, voting will be closed off and the count will begin immediately. A statement of the poll will be placed in an envelope and manually dropped off to the committee and once received, we will start to tally the preliminary results.”
When the tally is complete, then a press release will be issued by the committee.
The voters AZP News spoke with all said the voting process went quickly and smoothly.
The first voter at Union Presbyterian Primary School at Hermitage Rd, Claxton Bay said he had no problems casting his ballots.
“Smooth and nice,” he described the voting process.
A member of the UNC since 2010, the voter from Claxton Bay will be amongst the many anticipating the results on Saturday night.
Leila Ramsawak also said the same.
Some UNC members who did not yet vote during the day told AZP News, they might go to vote, some said they could not be bothered and all said they were not clear on who to vote for. They did not even know the people they were voting for.
From the United Patriots (UP) team, Dinesh Rambally told AZP News, “There are reports of irregularities with names on lists, certified lists bearing a certificate are being used by the United Patriot Slate in accordance with Election Management Committee Rules whereas in some polling stations the presiding officer and staff are using lists which do not bear a certificate; reports of canvassing on compounds by agents of the Star Team as well as reports and videos showing that individuals associated with candidates of the Star Team are harassing and in some instances bullying persons at mock stations.”
He said, “Other than this, I have personally observed members attending to vote. As at about 3 pm, the flow of voters seems to be picking up with a fair flow of members turning out. There are reports of some minor incidents taking place involving certain individuals at polling stations but thankfully , nothing that have gotten out of control. I am hoping that all goes well throughout the rest of the day.”
David Lee, contesting one of the 17 positions under the STAR team, said based on his observations and reports it seems as though the stars will remain shining in the sky in all constituencies.
He admitted that in the constituency of Tabaquite and D’Abadie/O’Meara though, UP was giving the stars some competition.
Lee said, “The numbers we have been tracking of STAR supporters show that we are trending in every constituency. Across the constituencies, we seem to be leading as expected. We don’t know what the final results would be yet.
“The only constituency where we have some competition is in Tabaquite. Paray is giving us a little bit of competition there. I would say about a 60 (%) to 40 (%). In D’Abadie/O’Meara where we have a smaller membership, I would say about the same 60 (%) to 40 (%).”
“I feel confident that given the trends throughout the day, the Stars will come out victorious as we have been saying all along,” Lee said.
He also praised his constituents in Pointe-a Pierre for the way they conducted themselves during the election.
Lee said, “We have always been a shining star in how we conduct ourselves. I must compliment the constituents of Pointe-a-Pierre who regardless of who they support they do it the right way.”
On Saturday night, STAR team supporters are expected to gather at Persad-Bissessar’s Siparia constituency office to monitor results while the UP will meet at their office in Couva.
