UNC MP denied vote in election, name not on list

A serious discrepancy has been reported in the United National Congress (UNC) internal election now taking place in Trinidad and Tobago.

UNC Member of Parliament for Naparima Nizam Baksh was not allowed to vote Sunday because his name does not appear on the voting list.

Baksh has been the MP for the constituency since 2002 and in the 2007 election received the second highest number of votes among all the 15 UNC members who were elected. He is also a member of the UNC elections committee.

In an interview with JYOTI he said he was amazed to discover his name was removed from the list. He stated that two days ago he checked the electronic copy of the list and his name was there, so he is at a lost to find out what happened.

He said there is very little he could do since the rules of the elections committee state clearly that no one will be allowed to vote unless his or her name is on the list.

Commenting on the matter Chaguanas MP Jack Warner said he sees this as an act of sabotage against UNC members.

He told JYOTI, "How can anyone even suggest that Mr Baksh is not a member of the UNC. He is a sitting MP, he is one of the MPs who endorsed Mr Panday, he is a member of the elections committee. This is the clearest evidence yet of thievery and shows that the committee is making every effort to steal the election."

He said the same thing is happening across the country with hundreds of bona fide UNC members finding that their names are not on the voters list.

Earlier this week when the Panday team went to Baksh's constituency officials did not invite Baksh to speak. Reports say Baksh sat on the pavement and listened to the meeting at which UNC leader Basdeo Panday was booed.

Baksh is perceived as a supporter of leadership candidate Kamla Persad-Bissessar.

(more developments later ... and results when they are availabe)