PNM claims victory in St Joseph by-election

(Trinidad Express) THE Peoples National Movement (PNM) has claimed victory in the St Joseph by-election. The Elections and Boundaries Commission’s (EBC) interim count has given the PNM’s candidate Terrence Deyalsingh 6357, some 46 per cent of the votes cast.

The United National Congress’ UNC candidate Ian Alleyne received 5677 votes, with the Independent Liberal Party’s (ILP) Om Lalla garnering 1989 votes.

Independent candidate Errol Fabien got 300 votes and the candidate Michael Lopez, five votes.

VOTE COUNT BEGINS

The polls are now closed and the count begins to determine who of the five candidates in the St Joseph by-election has won. In the end, only three of the candidates cast ballots, the Peoples National Movement’s (PNM) Terrence Deyalsingh, Independent candidate Errol Fabien, and the Democratic National Assembly’s (DNA) candidate Michael Lopez. The plan by the United national Congress’ (UNC) candidate Ian Alleyne, never happened, despite an invitation to the media to capture his arrival at the Cipriani Labour College’s polling station for 10 a.m. The reason’s for Alleyne’s no show has been a hot topic on social media all day, and several have questioned whether he was eligible to vote. A person must reside in the electoral area in order to cast a ballot.

The Independent Liberal Party’s (ILP) candidate Om Lalla does not live in the electoral area of St Joseph.

The polls closed at 6p.m. Express senior photographer Jermaine Cruickshank, who waited at the Cipriani Labour College until the close of polling, said Alleyne did not show up to cast his ballot.

IAN NOT AT HOME

WITH UNC candidate Ian Leslie Alleyne’s whereabouts a mystery this afternoon, the Express went in search of him at two addresses, one of which appears on the electoral list as his official place of residence – No 49 Palm Drive, Valsayn.

However, Express journalist Michelle Loubon and photographer Ishmael Salandy found No 49 Palm Drive to be an apartment complex occupied by mostly foreigners who could provide no information about Alleyne. Those interviewed did not know Alleyne, or anything about the politics.

A second address provided to the Express at Woodland Road, Valsayn was a home where an elderly woman answered. The woman who identified herself as the maid, said the home at been rented to someone at a cost of $10,000.

Alleyne had invited the media to be at the Cipriani Labour College off the Churchill Roosevelt Highway, Valsayn for 10 a.m, where he was expected to cast his ballot. However, he failed to show, and it is being reported that he will likely turn up shortly before the 6p.m close of polls. Express senior photographer Jermaine Cruickshank confirmed tonight that Alleyne did not vote.