'Not even a member,' - PNP

The People’s National Party (PNP) has dismissed claims of impropriety in Sunday’s election of officers in Region Six.

“It is indeed unfortunate that the personal disaffection of an unsuccessful nominee and another individual, who is not even a member of the PNP, have marred an otherwise successful and incident-free conference,” the party said in a statement Tuesday.

At the end of the Region 6 conference, one candidate in the regional election for National Executive Council (NEC) positions, and another individual took to the media, to express their dissatisfaction with the process and outcome of the regional elections for NEC membership.

“Dem jus pick who dem wah pick. If dem continue this way, there is no way for the PNP,” said the disgruntled candidate.

He continued to insinuate that ballot counters carried out dishonest practises of favouritism towards a certain candidate.

The PNP however in its statement argued that:

1.    The Secretariat, represented by Deputy General Secretary (DGS) Wensworth Skeffery, presided over the elections at the Region 6 conference.

2.    As is customary, the DGS enlisted the assistance of other staff of the Secretariat, along with senior members of the Patriots, to count the ballots, outside in the open, and in the view of all, as the location did not have closed rooms available for this purpose.

3.    There was no election for Regional Chairman. Colin Hitchman was returned unopposed for the position.

4.    There were 14 nominations for NEC membership submitted by the conference, from which the 10 persons who received the highest number of votes were chosen, as required by the Party Constitution.

The PNP closed by advising that the secretariat will take steps to remind members of the available fora within the party to raise concerns or express disapproval of internal matters.

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