Commonwealth observers have been deployed to polling stations across Trinidad and Tobago, as the twin-island state holds a snap parliamentary election.
Candidates from seventeen political parties and three independents are contesting 41 seats of the House of Representatives, as Trinidad and Tobago marks 100 years since the first election was held in the twin-island state in 1925.
There were queues of early-rising voters patiently waiting for polling stations to open their doors, with 1,134,135 people eligible and registered to vote.
Registered voters must be 18 years and over, reside in an electoral district for at least two months prior to the election, and be a citizen of Trinidad and Tobago or a Commonwealth citizen, having resided in the country for at least a year.
Former Foreign Affairs Minister of Malta, Evarist Bartolo, leading the Commonwealth Observer Group, also had an early start as he witnessed voting at the Queens Royal College polling station.
He said:
"It has been a pleasure for the team and me to be here, supporting the people of Trinidad and Tobago in this electoral exercise. We have been warmly received by all stakeholders. As we observe this process, we acknowledge the country's commitment to democratic principles. Prior to today, I visited the island of Tobago and met with various stakeholders and observed preparations for the polls. I also had an opportunity to observe Special Voting in Tobago.
"Now, I am here in a polling station in Trinidad to witness the first ballots being cast. We have our observers deployed across the country, and we look forward to a peaceful, transparent and credible outcome that the people can be proud of."
The election was called by Prime Minister Stuart Young on his second day in office. It was originally due to be held later this year.
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The election is also the first to be held after the Elections and Boundaries Commission (EBC) redrew the lines for 16 constituencies and renamed five others.
Special polling took place from 21 April to 27 April to allow polling day staff, police, offshore workers and prisoners on remand and others who are eligible to vote as special voters to cast their ballots. Commonwealth Observers were also present and watched as the ballots were cast.
Polls opened at 6am and close at 6pm, and results will be announced once all count and tabulation processes have concluded. The 41 members are elected for a maximum five-year term in single-seat constituencies using a first-past-the-post voting system.
The party with a majority of seats will form the government, and its leader will become the Prime Minister.
The Commonwealth Observer Group will issue its interim statement in a press conference at 3pm tomorrow, 29 April, at the Scarlet Ibis Room, Hilton Hotel, Port of Spain.
Members of the Commonwealth Observer Group
Chairperson: Hon Evarist Bartolo, former Foreign Affairs Minister of Malta
The Commonwealth Observer Group members, in alphabetical order by country name, are:
- Mr Ian Michael Anthony, Former Chief Elections Officer, Dominica
- Ms Nazima Raghubir - Journalist, Guyana
- Mr Orrette Tyndale Fisher - Election Management Expert, Jamaica
- Mr Aiman Rasheed - Deputy Program Director, International Republican Institute, Maldives
- Ms Winnie Anna Kiap – Chair, Commonwealth Foundation, Papua New Guinea
Media contact
-
Temitope Kalejaiye, Public Relations and Engagement Officer, Commonwealth Secretariat
- M: +44 7436 032707 | Email
