People's National Movement (PNM) candidate for San Juan/Barataria, Hafeez Ali is confident of wresting control of the marginal seat from Dr. Fuad Khan, based on the work he has done in the past few years.
Speaking with reporters seconds after voting at the Chanka Maharaj SDMS Primary School, Maharaj Street, El Socorro, at around 9.20 am, , the 49-year-old businessman and commercial pilot was optimistic .
"Everything went well and I feel that we have it in the bag," he said.
I feel so because we did a lot of work on the ground, and I feel we will make our quota of 9,000 votes."
Ali said his constituency office at Fifth Street opened very early to accommodate constituents who may have encountered problems at the polls, and also to assist persons with getting to and from polling stations. He said he intended to spend most of the day driving through the constituency, ensuring things are moving along without disruptions.
At the time Ali spoke with the T&T Guardian, only 103 people had so far voted at the Chanka Maharaj SDMS Primary School.
Ali reported the voting process seemed to be free of any major hiccups. He said one female voter had been turned away frbecause she did not have a poll card, but the situation had been sorted out by attorneys hired for the day to iron out any legal issues which might arise.
He said there had been an incident in the Sunshine District where members of the People's Partnership were found to be canvassing within the polling station precincts but that situation was quickly resolved by the police.
Although this is the first time Ali is contesting a general election, he is no stranger to politics as he has been the operations manager for the PNM’s Barataria/San Juan constituency for the PNM in the last two general elections.
"I feel that I can make a difference," he said
Although there was a heavy downpour around mid-morning period, there was a steady stream of voters at the various polling stations in the constituency.
Voters said the process was generally amooth, while a few complained about receiving text messages earlier in the morning from Team Kamla, urging them to exercise their civic right.