Akash Samaroo
Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley will not entertain the Opposition Leader’s request for international over servers to oversee the upcoming Local Government Elections.
During the United National Congress’ Monday Night Report, Kamla Persad-Bissessar made the call for foreign oversight while underscoring that her party does not trust the People’s National Movement with the process.
However, while answering questions from the audience during Breakfast with the Prime Minister today at the Hilton Trinidad and Conference Centre, Dr Rowley responded to her request with a resounding no.
“We are going into a Local Government Election, we’ve had that over and over and over, and there’s one due in a few weeks. Some of our colleagues are telling me, "I must invite foreigners to come and observe our local government election, no!” the Prime Minister said to laughter from the crowd which was made up of party stalwarts and members of the business community.
The Prime Minister questioned why the Opposition Leader believes such an intervention is necessary.
“They are free to come if they wish, it’s a free country but why are we selling ourselves short?”
Dr Rowley said this country has a reputation for being “superstars” with elections and that is why locals go to other countries to observe their electoral process.