The Trinidad and Tobago Police Service is warning that it is taking a zero-tolerance approach as it relates to individuals who intend to disrupt the 28th April General Election.
During a Police Media Briefing on Tuesday, Acting Commissioner of Police Junior Benjamin gave the assurance that the Police Service is ready for the polls on Monday.
He said they are in constant contact with officials at the Elections and Boundaries Commission (EBC), and police officers have undergone special training. Commissioner Benjamin said they will be targeting known hotspot areas to ensure there is a level of safety and security on Election Day.
“Certain things have come to our attention, and we are saying, based on the things that have been brought to our attention, that anyone that seeks to break the law as relates to the elections or anything dealing with the offences under the elections, we are going to deal with that decisively. I want to make one final point as well that the TTPS, as we seek to deploy our persons, we will be having officers in the various polling stations, and we will also be having persons again set out to look at the different areas.”
The Acting Police Commissioner warned that anyone found in breach of the law will be dealt with accordingly.
Meanwhile, Deputy Commissioner of Police (Operations) and Co-Commander for Parliamentary Election 2025, Curt Simon, noted there are over 3,000 polling stations throughout Trinidad and Tobago. He said the TTPS will be working closely with the Defence Force to ensure there are no election issues. He reminded citizens of some of the election offences.
“You are not allowed after voting to congregate in or near polling stations, and that is you’re not allowed then to be within the precincts of those buildings, and that would be 100 yards, which is approximately 91 metres, close to 100 metres, so you can average that. You are not allowed to influence persons to vote on that day. So persons who do campaigning, you can campaign up to Sunday and influence persons to vote. On polling day, you are not allowed to influence anyone to cast any ballot for any party. You are not allowed; those of you who have bars and restaurants and so on, you’re not allowed to sell intoxicating liquor during polling and that is 6am to 6pm in Trinidad and Tobago.”