TI won't observe UNC internal vote

The Trinidad and Tobago chapter of Transparency International (TTTI) won't be ablee to monitor the internal election of the United National Congress (UNC).

UNC deputy leader Jack Warner wrote TTTI on Monday asking the organization to monitor the vote. He said he fears that UNC leader Basdeo Panday would make every effort to steal the election.

But the organization declined the invitation saying that it could not take on the responsibility because it is an apolitical group and cannot get involved in a partisan internal political matter. It also said it does not have the resources to undertake such an assignment.

Warner is disappointed but is still pursuing other options to ensure a free and fair election. He has announced that he will contest the post of chairman at next year’s elections, a post currently held by UNC political leader Basdeo Panday.

Panday has said that he is not surprised to hear allegations of fraud because those making the charges are afraid that they would lose the election so they are already making up excuses to explain their impending defeat.

The party's official records show that there are 34,500 financial members. However, Warner has challenged that and has asked to verify that the membership list is not bogus.

The party is reported to have a shortage or membership forms, which is hindering efforts by Warner and others who want to contest the election to recruit new members ahead of the cutoff date of Dec. 18 for new registrations.

Warner has charged that officials at the Rienzi complex are dragging their feet on the new applications.