ALP Urges Probe into Ballot Photo Leak
By Travis Chase | HGP Nightly News
The Assembly for Liberty and Prosperity (ALP) has written to GECOM Chairperson Justice Claudette Singh following the circulation of an image on social media showing how a member of the Disciplined Services voted during last Friday’s balloting.
Just days before the exercise, GECOM had banned the use of cell phones inside polling stations over fears of vote-selling. Yet, despite the prohibition, a ballot photo still surfaced online.
On Monday, Chief Elections Officer Vishnu Persaud admitted that the Commission could not confirm how or where the photographs were taken but insisted the ban was largely effective.
“I am very comfortable that this prohibition worked, especially since we have not received expressions of concern from stakeholders that it did not work,” Persaud said.
The ALP, however, maintains that GECOM has a constitutional duty to thoroughly investigate, warning that failure to act could undermine public trust in the integrity of the electoral process.
When asked if GECOM would pursue further investigation into the breach, Persaud deflected, arguing that the law itself provides penalties for violations and did not confirm whether the Commission would take additional steps.
