Complaints and accusations about election irregularities arose in various places yesterday, but one thing all political parties noted alike was an initial low voter turnout.
The late opening of some polling stations, sudden shifts of others and alleged canvassing were all part of yesterday's Local Government election issues.
Complaints came mainly from United National Congress officials as well as some People's National Movement areas.
A very slow voter turnout in the morning picked up a bit in the evening before close of polls.
Among complaints, UNC attorney Saddam Hosein said police were called in after he lodged a complaint that a PNM mock polling station was situated too close to the real polling station at ASJA complex, Charlieville.
"Rules are clear, there must be no gathering 100 yards from the station and the PNM's election paraphernalia was in clear sight. Election and Boundary Commission officials measured it and PNM's station was moved. Our station across the road was also moved," Hosein told the Guardian.
Hosein said a similar situation occurred at the Charlieville Presbyterian school, where he also filed a report to the EBC on alleged canvassing by people dressed in blue in a station wagon.
The EBC came in for stiff criticism from the National Solidarity Assembly (NSA) and the UNC regarding late notice on a shift of polling stations in the California-Pt Lisas seat.
The EBC issued notice of this around mid-morning yesterday. Polling station 3185 was shifted from Esperanza Primary School to the Dow Village Primary School. Polling station 3190 was shifted from Dow Village Primary to Esperanza Primary.
NSA leader Nirvan Maharaj, also noting a low turnout even in the afternoon, said the shift affected NSA voters who were unaware the stations were shifted and some returned home.
UNC MP Rudy Indarsingh, at 4 pm, said, "We've filed a complaint with EBC's CEO Ramesh Nanan. It's highly suspicious, shifts were done so suddenly in this PNM-held seat. EBC didn't notify any level of the UNC. Voters were confused and upset–totally unsatisfactory on EBC's part."
UNC MP Barry Padarath said the polling stations at Presentation College, San Fernando, didn't open until nearly 8 am–instead of the mandated 6 am time–due to late police presence. He noted low turnout also.
In Princes Town, Padarath said the Corinth and Cedar Hill stations were split and shifted and UNC officials weren't notified of this until yesterday morning.
"When we asked why, the returning officer said the EBC was supposed to tell us. We reminded him he was an EBC representative. We asked him to put in writing the date of the late notice, which was done without consultation, in order for us to report it to EBC."
Movement for Social Justice Leader David Abdulah, acknowledging low turnout also, said the presiding officer in two Point Fortin areas refused to allow MSJ polling agents into the station. This was resolved.
Some negativity occurred - EBC
Some "negativity" occurred in yesterday's Local Government election due to administrative error concerning the California-Pt Lisas seat, Elections and Boundaries Commission chief election officer Ramesh Nanan confirmed.
He was commenting on the switching of polling stations in Esperanza and Dow Village which was done yesterday morning. He said it was an error by the Returning Officer for that seat.
He said minor hiccups and "human error" affected processes in some areas yesterday.
Asked about other alleged issues–including the shift of stations in Princes Town–Nanan said any report would be attended to. He said the EBC had had reports that voting was a "bit slow, but continuous."
PNM HITS ALLEGED UNC CANVASSING
PNM officials in St Joseph brought in legal assistance yesterday to deal with alleged complaints of Opposition canvassing, the T&T Guardian was told.
The matter occurred at polling stations at Cipriani Labour College, Valsayn.
PNM general secretary Ashton Ford also said he'd noted a low turnout, but declined comment on what might have caused it.
Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley, who had noted a low turnout when he voted around 8.30 am yesterday in Westmoorings, was asked about alleged UNC campaigning. Rowley said he hadn't heard of it himself, but wasn't surprised.
"If this (complaint) is so, it's a matter for the authorities. If there were complaints in any particular district, we have observers and scrutineers who will handle that."
On perceived election violence, including the alleged recent shooting of an Independent candidate,Rowley said the violence was a disturbing development.
"Nobody wants the contest for office to get beyond verbal exhortations. Violence of any kind is to be abhorrred," he said
"I saw comments from security authorities regarding Palo Seco where it might not be attributed to the election campaign. But a candidate being shot in elections can only be listed as election violence unless you can show evidence to the contrary. This is a very serious development which ought not to be encouraged and the perpetrators ought to be found and dealt with immediately."