[UPDATED] OBEY THE LAW

CARLA BRIDGLAL AND SHANE SUPERVILLE

EVERYONE, regardless of party, must adhere to public health regulations during election campaigns, Health Minister Terrence Deyalsingh implored Monday.

“I have to be constantly reminding people to keep their masks on and to stay in groups of 25,” Deyalsingh, who is also the returning PNM candidate for St Joseph, said during the Ministry of Health’s virtual covid19 update. “From a health perspective...we need to be cognisant of the fact that we don’t want community spread, we want the elections to go on as safely as possible and it’s incumbent upon everyone, myself included.”

He suggested parties have a marshal to manage the crowd and maintain social distancing protocols. They should also provide masks for followers. “Let’s have a safe and uneventful campaign as much as humanly possible. We have said constantly here (at the briefing) that all political parties, all candidates, all campaign managers should manage the groups of people walking with candidates.”

Candidates and the public should to apply common sense while on walkabouts, he added.

Deyalsingh declined to comment on Police Commissioner Gary Griffith’s decision to shut down two motorcades, including music trucks, on Saturday in Carenage – one by the PNM and the other by the UNC.

On Sunday, throngs of supporters of the UNC gathered on the streets in Barataria, where they walked with candidate Saddam Hosein and party leader Kamla Persad-Bissessar.

Deyalsingh noted while it was difficult to manage the movement of large groups during walkabouts, it was a shared responsibility between campaign organisers, candidates and the public themselves.

At a press briefing, also on Monday, at the Police Administration Building in Port of Spain, Griffith, was clear about his reasons for stopping the motorcade.

He said neither party had clearance to operate the trucks, nor did they get permission from the police to host the motorcade, so he was in the right to shut them down. And while it was a democratic right to campaign, that right should not impede others’ freedom of movement – which is what happened when these motorcades restricted the flow of traffic for at least three hours.

While parties are not required to get police permission for walkabouts and cottage meetings, motorcades and music trucks/loudspeakers should seek clearance.

“All I’m asking is just (for) a little bit of communication with the primary law enforcement agency. (It) would assist greatly in ensuring your safety and security and (that of) your supporters. We want to make sure there’s no clash or conflict. If we know where each party is meeting we can avoid any escalation into something more serious,” Griffith said.

‘
We will break it up’

While he chastised some people as being irresponsible for “(backing) up traffic for three hours and say it’s your right and it’s an election campaign,” he acknowledged that most of it was overenthusiasm from excited new candidates.

“People are not doing this deliberately. It is based on their lack of understanding of the law. There are new people in politics and (they) can get emotional. I ask people, especially the seasoned ones, brief your candidates. We are here to help. Unless people have a deliberate attempt to break the law then we will get involved.

He also noted that mostly on walkabouts, there have been instances where there may be more than the required 25-person minimum. “That’s why we ask the campaign organisers to bring it to our attention so we can advise you. You get two or three parties trying to do a walkabout at the same time at the same place and 25 can become 75... We will allow a great degree of flexibility, we do not intend to be hard and fast. We understand the situation. If it gets out of control we will get involved. We will break it up if we have to. (If things get out of hand) we can take action to ask people to disperse for unlawful assembly and breach of the Public Health Ordinance.”

Motorcade etiquette

Deputy police commissioner for operations Jayson Forde outlined the requirements to host a motorcade. The main challenge, he said was that people might say they have 25 cars but on the day, it’s a lot more than that. Then, the police will have to take action “because it is about law and order, not you exercising your constitutional right to support your party.” “When you have this huge number of people joining your motorcade and a throng of people following, disregarding covid19 regulations and the possibility of infection, we have to take action. There must be a level of control because other people have to use roadways.

He noted that music trucks especially need special regulations, particularly since they are usually goods vehicles or trailers that have been altered. These alterations need to be regulated, he said, and seven criteria need to be satisfied: Drivers must have a valid driver’s licence, and if the owner is not driving, a letter granting permission must be provided. Also required are a copy of the insurance and a valid inspection certificate. Music trucks should have a permit indicating permission to carry additional people and permission to play music/instruments. These alterations will require special insurance. Trucks will also require clearance from copyright organisations to play music as well as environmental clearance from the Environmental Management Authority. All of these must be submitted to the ACP for specialised support in Aranguez and a permit will be issued to use the truck on the days requested.

“The TTPS is proactive. All we are doing is providing safety and security for all citizens to enjoy their constitutional rights but there are certain laws that have to be observed, I am asking al political parties to observe those rules,” Forde said. “This is not a time for the police to be rushing in charging and arresting people,” Griffith added. “The police service doesn’t want to get into (politics). We are independent. We are here to support and prevent any great degree of inconvenience to the public.”

This story was originally published with the title "Deyalsingh reminds candidates: Observe health measures" and has been adjusted to include additional details. See original post below.

Health Minister and St Joseph candidate Terrence Deyalsingh has again appealed to the public to wear masks and maintain physical distancing as they campaign for election candidates.

On Sunday, throngs of supporters of the UNC gathered on the streets in Barataria, where they walked with candidate Saddam Hosein and party leader Kamla Persad-Bissessar.

On the need to continue observing public health guidelines during the campaign, Deyalsingh said while it was difficult to manage the movement of large groups during walkabouts, it was a shared responsibility between campaign organisers,candidates and the public themselves.

"I have to be constantly reminding people to keep their masks on and to stay in groups of 25," he said during the Ministry of Health's covid19 update on Monday. "From a health perspective...we need to be cognisant of the fact that we don’t want community spread, we want the elections to go on as safely as possible and it’s incumbent upon everyone, myself included.

"Have a marshal, so if you have a group of 50 people, have one person in charge of one group (and) have another person in charge of another group. Provide masks for your followers, and let’s have a safe and uneventful campaign as much as humanly possible.

"We have said constantly here that all political parties, all candidates, all campaign managers should manage the groups of people walking with candidates."

Deyalsingh said he did not want to comment on the shutting down of two music trucks accompanying PNM and UNC candidates in Carenage on Saturday.