Minister of National Security Marvin Gonzales says he is aware of the potential disruptions to the election process as previously reported by Acting Commissioner of Police Junior Benjamin during the Trinidad and Tobago Police Service Media Briefing on Tuesday.
Minister Gonzales told reporters in Lopinot on Friday that he was fully briefed on the matter, which he believes is politically motivated, and he plans on speaking to the population at large about it.
“I am very concerned, I must say, because, you know, being a Member of Parliament and being involved in this electoral campaign, I honestly did not believe that there were persons who operate on the political landscape that would resort to criminal actions to disrupt the electoral process in what I believe, if the intelligence is true, to be a massive voter suppression campaign by some of our political opponents.”
The Minister added that he has taken action to counter these threats and warned political parties against these gimmicks.
“It is widespread, and the activities are very pervasive in their nature, and I have authorised the TTPS, together with the support of other law enforcement agencies and the Trinidad and Tobago Defence Force, to deploy all resources that are available to them to ensure that we have fair and free elections in Trinidad and Tobago.”
Minister Gonzales said he is confident that the TTPS and the relevant authorities will ensure that Monday’s General Election will keep to the tradition of being safe, free, and fair.