UNC Loses LGE Election Petition

The election petition filed against the Elections and Boundaries Commission (EBC) relating to the Electoral District of Arima Northeast has been dismissed. Mr. Justice Frank Seepersad on Monday dismissed the matter filed against the EBC by the United National Congress. Justice Seepersad also ordered the Petitioner to pay the costs of the EBC certified fit for Senior and Junior Counsel. Mr. Justice Seepersad, in delivering his judgment found that the Petition filed by the United National Congress’ candidate for the Electoral District of Arima Northeast, Jairzinho Domingo Gustav Rigsby, was hopelessly flawed in that he failed to comply with mandatory provisions of the Representation of the People Act relating to election petitions. On election night on August 14th, a tally of the votes saw the UNC and the People’s National Movement receiving 623 votes each. On August 15th, after a recount, the UNC received one more vote. The EBC then accepted a request from the PNM for a check of that recount. The result of the second recount gave the PNM 625 votes and the UNC 624.