Vasant asks for transparency in UNC election

Saying he was mindful of allegations of fraud which marred the UNC’s December 2015 internal election, former Trade and Industry minister Vasant Bharath has sought assurances from the party that the November 26 internal elections would be contested with “fairness, accountability and transparency.”

Bharath’s concerns were contained in a letter to UNC general secretary Davendranath Tancoo yesterday, the day after the party’s national congress unanimously approved the decision by the national executive to hold elections for political leader and national executive. The election for party leader was due to be held next year.

Bharath, who unsuccessfully contested the 2015 internal election, said he noted “with concern” issues over the legality of the leadership election and was awaiting advice from his attorney on whether they would affect his slate of candidates’ participation in the election.

“As we embark upon our campaign, we therefore seek to have an assurance that this election will be accompanied by certain minimum standards of fairness, accountability and transparency,” he wrote, and requested a copy of the revised list of members, including their addresses and phone numbers.

He also requested the names, addresses and phone numbers of all presiding officers, poll clerks and election day staff to ensure “these persons are not involved in campaigning for any of the persons contesting the election.”

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"Vasant asks for transparency in UNC election"

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