Warner says UNC electoral process "reeks of corruption"

Jack Warner has written a third letter to Kemchan Ramdath, chairman of the United national Congress (UNC) elections committee, asking for an urgent meeting of the party's national executive (NATEX) to discuss alleged election irregularities.

The letter, dated January 6, 2010, says the process so far has been plagued with irregularities and discrepancies and has been "far from fair and transparent".

He said a preliminary analysis of the membership lists shows several problems.

"For the most part, applications for membership that were submitted immediately before the December 18th 2009 deadline appear to have been rejected as they do not appear on the list. No reasons have been provided for their omission," he said.

He added that persons whose names appeared on the previous list are not on the new list provided and that no reasons have been provided for their omission.

The UNC deputy leader also pointed out that persons who were registered to vote in Couva North prior to the last General Election but who were registered in Chaguanas West following the redefining of electoral boundaries have been included in Chaguanas West list but they have Couva North listed next to their names.

Warner said this raises two questions: whether these persons would be entitled to vote in Chaguanas West or Couva North and whether these names also appear on the Couva North list in which case a person can technically vote twice.

He also noted that contrary to the election rules, his officers received only a list titled Chaguanas West.

He said the provisional list shows an increase of only 320 members "which is impossible when one considers the mobilization efforts and the new applications submitted by Chaguanas West Constituents in 2009."

His letter also points to a statement by UNC leader Basdeo Panday that "some 16,000 persons who made new applications would not be eligible to vote in the elections. I am also informed that this decision was taken by certain members and not the NATEX."

Warner reminded Ramdath that the decision is "highly undemocratic" adding that it is illegal, immoral and "it reeks of corruption".

He said although he is a member of the executive he was not invited to ratify the final list of the Party's membership. "This too is not transparency and suggests something politically sinister. It strikes at the heart of our Party’s Constitution and the principles which govern our Party," he said.

"These are matters that require the urgent attention of the NATEX. Members must be afforded the opportunity to express their views on these important matters which touch at the heart of our elections," Warner stated.

Ramdath has replied to Warner assuring him that the elections committee will not change the nomidation date. He has further advised Warner that his committee has no authority over the preparation of the list of members and therefore cannot be he held responsible "for this matter".