Despite pre-election calls for him to step down in the face of sedition charges, incumbent secretary of the Police Service Social and Welfare Association Insp Michael Seales is confident he will be the next president.
The count is expected to be ratified this morning after polls at the 44 stations across the country closed at 6 pm yesterday.
After casting his ballot yesterday, Seales, of the Police Empowerment Party (PEP), said there was “excitement” in the air as Second Division officers turned out in their numbers to vote.
On his chances of winning, he said it was all in God’s hands.
“It is not about confidence, this is about God acting out his plan. So I am saying that God has said that I will and I know that I will win,” Seales said.
Although the process was reported to be generally smooth there were some minor hiccups in the Eastern Division, where there was only one fixed voting booth. Mobile units also had to be used in far areas to allow officers to cast their ballots. Apart from this, he said, there were a few complaints about names not being on the voting list but this issue was sorted out.
On calls made last week by one of his challengers, acting Cpl Darlington Emmerson Francis, for him for step down from the election race, Seales said he would address such matters today.
Also contacted yesterday, Francis, leading Team Police for Police, said he too was hopeful of securing the presidency. He said there was no negative feedback from the Port-of-Spain area and described the voter turn out as heavy.
Regarding his level of confidence, Francis said, “I have two emotions, which are being cautious but I am also optimistic.”