Duke complains of 'mischief' at polls

Progressive Democratic Patriots (PDP) Tobago East candidate Watson Duke will approach his lawyers today to address concerns about "mischief" at two polling stations.

He spoke to the media after he voted around 11 am at Roxborough AC school. The PDP leader said he was disturbed.

"There are one or two concerns that there could be mischief and some persons may be hell-bent on corrupting the election process," he said.

"I have had one person from my constituency going to vote and upon producing the identification card, was told she voted already as a special voter. The person did not vote as a special voter, and the name they are referring to is spelt differently as on the ID.”

Duke said he had already contacted Election and Boundaries Commission (EBC) officials, who promised to look into the matter.

"I am hoping the matter is resolved, because voting is a very important democratic right that nobody should be denied.”

Duke said he would be visiting other polling stations throughout the day and engage his lawyers over another alleged irregularity, at the polling station at Roxborough.

He expressed confidence in his chances.

“My (PNM) colleague Ayanna Webster-Roy has made some colossal mistakes in this election. She doesn’t know to spell her own name. In the form that was submitted on nomination day she spelt ‘Ayanna' with one N and that is the form in which the ballot paper should be produced. However, on the ballot paper we are seeing Ayanna with two Ns.

"How was it corrected? I do not know. There may be mischief afoot.”

He also accused Webster-Roy of campaigning on election morning on TV.

Despite his concerns, he said the voting process was swift and efficient.