Ethical Council chides PNM campaign on two counts

THE Council for Responsible Political Behaviour in a statement on Wednesday supported two complaints levelled by the UNC against the PNM, namely a speech by the Prime Minister at a July 15 political rally in San Fernando and a political flyer by a PNM candidate in the August 14 local government elections.

The council met last Monday to discuss the complaints.

Without giving specifics, the statement firstly said the UNC claimed Dr Rowley's statements were based on a false and unsubstantiated allegation which was inflammatory, divisive, and had the potential of inciting violence.

"A review of the recording noted that Dr Rowley did not name any party or person, but based on the policy proposal being discussed, it was clear that reference was being made to the UNC and its female leader."

While the council's Code of Ethical Political Conduct accepts that a party's policies were open to criticism, the statement said Rowley went on to allude to events which have not been linked to the UNC and as such, those statements can be deemed to be unsubstantiated allegations and in breach of the code.

"Continuing this part of his speech, Dr Rowley, again without calling any name, but still referring to the policy proposed by the UNC, spoke in derogatory terms of a political leader. This is unacceptable and to that end he is in clear breach of the clause of the code."

Secondly, the council said a PNM candidate's flyer was troubling because under his name it said, "Apply now - Grants available" and went on to list several such as the food card.

"While it is not improper to offer assistance in completing the application form for grants or even for HDC houses, the tone of the second flyer, however, is not focussed on assistance, and to this end, this flyer presents itself as an inducement for persons to visit the campaign offices of PNM candidates in order that they access various state managed services."

The statement said that as the PNM is in Government, the flyer gave the impression of state resources channelled through the campaign offices of PNM candidates, while the code prohibits any use funds derived from any source, public or private, to improperly influence electoral choices.

The statement concluded, "Based on the complaints considered above, the council calls once again on Dr Rowley to be mindful of the use of language in the campaign. The council also calls on the PNM to ensure that its candidates desist from giving the impression that grants can be on offer as inducements, particularly so when such will utilize state resources."

The council's ruling was welcomed by UNC PRO Dr Kirk Meighoo in a statement on Wednesday.

He said, "Firstly, Keith Rowley was condemned for falsely and outrageously claiming at a meeting in San Fernando on Saturday 15 July 2023, that the United National Congress sent gunmen into Port of Spain to randomly shoot in high-traffic areas to cause terror.

"The Council found that 'those statements can be deemed to be unsubstantiated allegations, and this is in breach of the code.'"

On the flyer issue, Meighoo said, "Secondly, the Council also found the PNM guilty of offering 'an inducement for persons to visit the campaign offices of PNM candidates in order that they access various state managed services.'”

Meighoo also said a council statement of July 6 had said Rowley's language had been inappropriate and offensive.

"This referred to his inflammatory and racially divisive accusations that one race is being facilitated so that it can kill another race.

"He was rightly condemned for this statement, for violating the agreement to 'Promote and enforce respect, tolerance, harmony and peace' and to 'Not use language or act in a way that may provoke violence'”