UNC independent candidate calls off recount

A RECOUNT of votes asked for by one of three independent candidates in the December 6 United National Congress (UNC) internal elections was called off on Sunday after 14 ballot boxes showed no discrepancies.

Chairman of the UNC’s election committee Ramesh Persad-Maharaj told Newsday on Monday the request by Rishi Kanick, who went up for the position of international relations officer, had been granted.

He said the recount took place on Sunday and Kanick was represented by an agent. Persad-Maharaj said a recount of 14 boxes showed there was no discrepancy and that Kanick received only 1.89 per cent of the votes cast.

“I told him over the phone it was an exercise in futility and the results would remain the same. He agreed and at 2.30 pm the recount was called off. His agent left,” Persad-Maharaj said.

Last week, Kanick told Newsday he asked for the recount because there were several discrepancies in the election process. In a phone interview, Kanick said the process was unfair for an independent candidate.

He said he was told received 323 votes overall but believes he got more. But he said he was not doing it for more votes, since he did not think the number would increase by much.

“It is a question of fairness, integrity and transparency. Currently the UNC, as the opposition, is debating the procurement legislation, asking for transparency and fairness. To me it would be hypocritical if the party does not abide by this internally.

“This is not about me but for setting the standard for the future. We have to demonstrate within the party exactly what we are asking for nationally,” he said. “You can’t say one thing and do something else.”

In his letter to Persad-Maharaj, Kanick said he did not accept the result. He asked for all the ballots and associated documents, including election polling station diaries, to be preserved. He also identified several irregularities he and his agents said they had witnessed at various polling stations.

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