A bomb scare stalled yesterday's voting process at the Shiva Boys' Hindu School, Penal, for two hours but failed to hinder eager United National Congress (UNC) registered voters.
The scare prompted a gathering of incumbent Kamla Persad-Bissessar's supporters just outside the cordoned off area, who sang hymms and chanted her name to victory. That school, located in the middle of Persad-Bissessar's Siparia constituency, is central to her support base.
She claimed that the bomb scare was a deliberate "election scheme" to target her stronghold.
This was the most explosive incident in a rather tame election campaign.
While she admitted that there were reports of small "scuffles" between rival factions of the same party, Persad-Bissessar said she was surprised that someone would use a bomb scare to disrupt the voting process.
While bomb-detecting dogs and plainclothes policemen entered the cordoned off compound, Persad-Bissessar joined a light-hearted crowd, waiting for the all clear to continue voting.
This UNC internal election ran fairly smoothly at other venues in south Trinidad, but the bomb scare stalled voting at Shiva Boys' for over two hours. Residents, gathered at the yellow caution tape barring the school, said that the area was a stronghold of Persad-Bissessar's. The gathering sang gospel songs and chanted Persad-Bissessar's name as they waited in the hot sun for the police to reopen the school. The ballot boxes were placed opposite the school, in a small building, guarded by two police officers.
Persad-Bissessar, who was out and about with husband, Dr Gregory Bissessar, voted just after 2 pm at the Parvati Girls' Hindu College in Debe where she learned of the bomb scare.
"I am more concerned with the tactics being employed. That (Shiva Boys) is the constituency for Siparia. Siparia has the largest number of voters. I am very concerned about that, whether it is genuine or not genuine it is a strategy being employed by those who know that in Siparia we would receive the highest number of votes," Persad-Bissessar said.
Persad-Bissessar is the MP for Siparia. (RS)
Flashback
Five years ago, during the last battle for United National Congress (UNC) leadership, Kamla Persad-Bissessar trounced then leader and party founder, Basdeo Panday, by a massive landslide. In that election, Persad-Bissessar garnered some 13,493 votes over Panday's scant 1,359. This year 15,000 people were registered to vote.