Karim advises Muslims on special voting

A statement yesterday, “Karim advises Muslim community on General Election”, said under the law Muslims — especially those going on Hajj — can apply to vote as special electors if they will not be present in the country for the September 7th General Election.

Karim, with Minister of Public Utilities, Nizam Baksh, and Princes Town MP Nela Khan, yesterday met representatives of the Muslim community.

The community was advised that eligible individuals must fill out and submit Form A-23 at any Elections and Boundaries Commission (EBC) Area Office or Sub Office, along with any proof of circumstances as to why they would not be able to vote.

The application period, he said started on July 27 and runs until August 17 and once approved, Special Electors can cast their votes from September 1 to 6.

The statement said Karim advised that it is the Government’s intention to establish a Saudi Arabian Embassy in Trinidad and Tobago to eliminate the need to travel to Venezuela to apply for visas which are required to travel to Mecca. In attendance were Arif and Asif Varachhia of Al-Hijjrah; Omar Mohammed of Omar’s Hajj Group; Nadira Hosein of Mid-Eastern Travel Services Limited, and Muhammed Ismael Baksh of Caribbean Hajj Limited.

Karim told Newsday that this year about 250 TT nationals will be going to Hajj, one of the five pillars of Islam. “They have been asking how can they vote so as not to be disenfranchised, and other requests of us to facilitate their travel”. Karim said Caribbean Airlines would afford pilgrims a courtesy line for their check-in, while the Government will try to assist in pilgrims saying their evening prayer at Piarco Airport before their departure flight.

Names will be forwarded to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia where pilgrims will be met and assisted by Uganda-based TT Ambassador, His Excellency Patrick Edwards. Karim said talks are ongoing, through diplomatic channels, for setting up a Saudi Embassy that will issue Hajj visas instead of TT’s Hajj leaders having to apply at the Saudi Embassy in Caracas, Venezuela, as now obtains.