Panday not giving up; alleges corruption in UNC vote

Basdeo Panday is refusing to accept the decision of voters in Sunday's internal election of the United national Congress.

He told reporters Tuesday a former member of the staff at the party's headquarters held back party cards of his supporters and that raises questions about the legality of the vote.

He said he will say more about the issue at a media conference on Wednesday morning.

While Panday and his supporters are kicking a big fuss about the cards, the chairman of the party's elections committee said people did not require their party cards to vote.

And according to local media reports, some of the people whose names are the cards produced by officials at the party's headquarters say they voted despite not having a card. And others, who cards were allegedly "hidden away" said they received ballot notices in the mail and were able to vote.

Panday's latest position raises questions about whether the new leadership will be installed as planned on Wednesday afternoon. He told the media he did not receive any invitation for the event.

But a spokesperson for the new executive confirmed that invitations were sent to Panday and Tabquite MP Ramesh L. Maharaj, who was the other leadership candidate in Sunday's elecion.

The executive, led by leader-elect Kamla Persad-Bissessar and chairman-elect Jack Warner, is due to be sworn in Wednesday afternoon.

Persad Bissessar and Warner won landslides in Sunday's election and the party has certified the results.

Panday has also said the matter of who is opposition leader is a non-issue since there is no vacancy for the post.

Under the constitution the MP who has the support of the majority of opposition members is the leader of the opposition.

Up to now Panday has the support of the majority but that could change if some MPs who originally supported Panday decide to defect and support the Siparia MP.