The Elections and Boundaries Commission (EBC) has strongly rejected allegations that it is colluding with the People’s National Movement (PNM) to rig the upcoming General Election and has referred a widely circulated document to the T&T Police Service (TTPS) for investigation.
The document in question names Chief Election Officer Fern Narcis and ten returning officers, falsely labelling them as “registered PNM members.” The EBC has described the claims as “unfounded assertions” that pose a serious threat to the integrity of the electoral process.
“These gross misrepresentations could erode public confidence in our democracy,” the commission said, calling the document a “deliberate dissemination of misinformation.”
This comes after the United National Congress (UNC) openly accused the EBC of bias. At a media conference on Tuesday, Opposition Senator Wade Mark said the party had no confidence in the EBC and warned that any attempt to frustrate the electorate’s will would lead to public backlash.
“A storm is brewing,” Mark warned. “We believe that the PNM is working with the EBC to frustrate the will of the people by stealing the next general election.”
UNC attorney Darrell Allahar also publicly questioned Narcis’ political affiliation and demanded clarity.
In response, Narcis told Guardian Media: “I am not a member of any political party, nor have I ever been a member of a party. This has been ventilated in the public domain already.”
The EBC reiterated that both the Chief Election Officer and returning officers remain fully committed to impartiality, professionalism and the democratic values on which the Commission is founded.