Mark, Bharat cannot run in UNC election: Warner

Jack Warner wrote to the chairman of the elections committee of the United National Congress (UNC) Tuesday telling Kemchand Ramdath that the nominations of Wade Mark, Vasant Bharath and Ramlochan Panchoo are illegal.

All three are running on the team led by political leader Basdeo Panday. Mark is seeking reelection as deputy leader, Panchoo is the nominee for elections officer and Bharath is running against Warner for the party's chairmanship.

Warner told Ramdath that the nomination of all three is contrary to the rules and guidelines of the two committees set up to deal with the election.

Mark is a member of the Membership Committee. Bharath and Panchoo are members of the Elections Committee.

Warner pointed out that when the party's national executive (NATEX) decided to establish the two committees there was the firm understanding that committee members would not be allowed to contest the election.

"The thinking behind this decision was obviously the need to maintain the independence of their office and to ensure that the process was not only fair but perceived to be fair. It was based on an obvious need to insulate and shield the process from manipulation and indecent manoeuvring," Warner reminded Ramdath.

He said the nomination of the three men is "the greatest conflict of interest and an act of immorality and dishonesty ever to be inflicted upon a political Party".

The Chaguanas West MP noted that for months Mark had the opportunity to sift through thousands of membership forms and was exposed and privy to very sensitive and confidential information.

He suggested that Mark would have had an opportunity to "pad" the list to advance his political ambitions.

"How can a Senator who rants on his ability to stand for the oppressed support such an obvious illegality?" Warner asked.

The election committees are supposed to be independent and are required to operate with transparency to ensure a free and fair election.

Warner told Ramdath that he has been "reliably informed that these same committee members perused all nominations at Rienzi Complex before strategically deciding what position they were going to contest."

He called their action immoral, unethical and lacking in integrity and told Ramdath their "respective nominations are therefore illegal, null and void and should be rejected forthwith."

He said by having them stand for election the process has become tainted. "I therefore call upon you to ensure that these nominations are rejected immediately," he said.

"As Chairman of the Elections Committee you must act to ensure that we are not tried and convicted by the people. Act now, as our very political future relies on it. In the meanwhile, I reserve my rights in this matter," Warner stated.