Trinidad and Tobago is in the throes of campaigning for the Local Government election on December 2 and while the ruling People's National Movement and the Opposition United National Congress battle it out from the platform to the ground and then to the ballot box, it must be unsettling to those in authority that in the weeks since the election was announced the Election and Boundaries Commission seems so unprepared.
Just this week, a computer and its hard drive full of data was stolen in Tunapuna. However, officials of the EBC subsequently said there was no need to worry since no data had actually been stolen.
Then yesterday came word that during the issuance of ballot papers to Special Electors, during an exercise which took place on Wednesday (November 20), the prescribed procedure was not followed with respect to certain electoral districts. As a result of this, the EBC said in accordance with Election Rule 22(7) of the Representation of the People Act, Chapter 2:01, the Government Printer would now be required to destroy the defective ballots and provide certification of same.
In an effort to maintain the integrity of the process, the EBC decided that ballot papers intended for use by Special Electors in 4the 0 affected electoral districts would be re-issued yesterday (November 21). In preparation for this, the EBC advised returning officers to make the necessary arrangements. This newspaper sincerely hopes the activity was carried out effectively so as not to disenfranchise any individuals come December 2.
Just why the proper procedure was not followed, however, must be thoroughly investigated and those responsible for the breach thereof must be held to account. These things come at a significant cost to taxpayers, since it means redoing a significant batch of ballot papers and also brings into question the integrity of the process. How are the corrupted ballot papers destroyed? One would hope that they would have been shredded and burnt.
Not surprisingly, the Opposition UNC is asking that the EBC advise of the time and venue and that the political parties be allowed to witness the accounting and destruction of the ballots which were effectively spoilt by the EBC.
In the interest of transparency, there should be no reason why the EBC should not consider this a reasonable request.
The EBC just cannot afford to go to the polls with the ghost of such a mishap hanging over its head. It cannot be emphasised enough that the electoral process must be free, fair, democratic and above reproach.
Our electoral process must be one that is above reproach and can withstand scrutiny. The people of Trinidad and Tobago must know that the leaders are the individuals we truly elected and not seized power via a questionable process.
Maybe the time is right for EBC CEO Fern Narcis to speak out on the readiness of the EBC.