Elderly people in their 80s, some in wheelchairs, some using canes and aided by relatives and a victim of Parkinson’s Disease were among the thousands who turned out to vote in central Trinidad in yesterday’s general election.
There was a heavy voter turnout in all constituencies, many choosing to cast their votes in the morning and others later in the day.
In Couva North, 83-year-old Sagadaye Pulchan limped into the Orange Field Hindu Primary School with a walking stick and the help of a relative.
“I have to vote,” she said, a look of determination on her face.
Another elderly woman was wheeled into the polling station by relatives who brought her and her wheelchair in their vehicle. She voted and was then lifted back into the vehicle.
A woman, shaking violently from Parkinson’s Disease, cast her vote in the same polling division.
Young people, some voting for the first time, were among thousands who cast their ballots.
Mathew Soodoosingh, who said he just turned 18, accompanied by 22-year old Darlene Khan, voted in Couva North.
“We have to see the country under good governance,” Soodoosingh said when asked why he voted.
Although there were claims of minor voter intimidation, there were no reports of major disturbances and police described the voting process as smooth.
Inspector Sooker of the Central Division said all polling stations were properly manned.
A noticeable amount of women in Muslim wear showed up to vote.
Chaguanas East UNC candidate, Fazal Karim, intitially turned up at the Orange Field Hindu Primary School with his wife, Judy, and daughter Ria to vote but was told he was not registered to vote there.
Karim’s campaign team had earlier told the media that was where he would be voting and a number of reporters and journalists had showed up at the site.
He said he was told he was supposed to vote at Waterloo High School. He said it may have been a miscommunication.
There was a bustle of activity at the Waterloo High School and security officers were kept busy as vehicles pulled in and out of the school.
A noticeable amount of women in Muslim wear showed up to vote there.
Karim said he had no problems voting in that polling division and was confident about taking Chaguanas East by a large majority.
Responding to claims texts were allegedly sent to voters by Caroni Central UNC candidate Dr Bhoe Tewarie early yesterday morning asking them to vote for him, he said: “People could send out e-mails and texts.”
Tewarie said the texts could have been an attempt by his political opponents to sabotage him.