CoP wants trouble-free UNC elections on Sunday

COMMISSIONER of Police (CoP) Gary Griffith has made it clear that the police will be closely monitoring Sunday's UNC internal elections to ensure they are "incident- and problem-free."

Griffith made this point to members of the party's internal elections management committee when he met with them at the Police Administration Building.

In a statement, the police said the meeting discussed preserving order and ensuring adherence to covid19 protocols in the run-up to and on election day. Griffith stressed the importance of wearing masks, practising social distancing and avoiding unnecessary congregating at all polling stations as well as at the returning centre.

He advised that markings should be placed on the ground to aid social distancing six feet apart, along pathways leading to the various polling centres, extending all the way to the polling clerk.

Deputy CoP (Operations) Anthony James, who also attended the meeting, said the police would provide an adequate level of coverage at all polling stations, including both static and mobile patrols. James said a greater focus will be given to areas where a greater voter turnout is anticipated

Committee chairman Ramesh Persad-Maharaj and committee member Norva Williams promised to give the police the names and contact numbers of all presiding officers for ease of communication. They said this information will be provided to police divisional commanders to allow an immediate police response on Sunday, if and when needed.

Griffith served as national security minister from September 6, 2013-February 2, 2015, in Persad-Bissessar's People's Partnership government.