00:00Eight members of the United National Congress, including its chairman Divindra Nathanku,
00:05attended a meeting with Elections and Boundaries Commission officials.
00:09The first issue concerns that of the election observers.
00:13Prime Minister Sturgeon has indicated that the Commonwealth has committed to sending
00:17an observer team ahead of the April 28th general election.
00:21Young also said that he was in contact with a Carter Center in the United States and had
00:26requested a team from there as well.
00:28While according to the UNC, the EBC has stated that it has received no confirmation from
00:33the prime minister's office or any other state authority regarding the presence of international
00:39election observers.
00:40The UNC calls this alarming and unacceptable.
00:44Public relations officer for the party, Dr. Kirk Magoo, says election observation by impartial
00:50international bodies is a standard democratic safeguard, especially in a context where public
00:56confidence in the electoral process must be protected and upheld.
01:00The UNC will pursue this matter urgently, including direct engagement with international
01:07bodies and diplomatic missions if necessary.
01:10He says no election must be held without independent observers.
01:15The UNC has also raised with the EBC issues with some of the returning officers, including
01:20what it alleges was abnormally burdensome requirements for Shogunist East candidate
01:25Vandana Mohit in the filing of her nomination papers and the omission of Tunapuna candidate
01:31Roger Alexander's name from his nomination receipt.
01:34The UNC says this could have led to him being barred from entering the election race.
01:39The party has also reported the conduct of the returning officer for Cuva South to the
01:43EBC, alleging that Barry Podarath was treated in a biased and discriminatory manner.
01:49The UNC went further to request the removal of that person.
01:53However, it was informed that the only person who has the authority to do so is the president.
01:59This is deeply problematic, especially given the president's political history as a former
02:05PNM member of parliament.
02:08He says it is important for action to be taken in such situations without a fear of bias,
02:13adding that the UNC will be exploring its options to ensure that an impartial returning
02:18officer is appointed.
02:20The UNC has also raised with the EBC the relocation of polling divisions and stations in St. Joseph,
02:26highlighting that it is a marginal constituency.
02:30Dr. Meghu says legal letters are being drafted to treat with the concerns raised, and he's
02:35making this call to the public.
02:37To join us in demanding transparency, accountability and action, because what's at stake is nothing
02:46less than the integrity of our electoral system.
02:50Alicia Boucher, TV6 News.
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