Govt, Opposition both declare victory

every time she is defeated, as she has been defeated (in the courts) as she has been in the last five outings at the polls.” Speaking at the Hall of Justice in Port-of-Spain after the ruling, Young declared, “As we in the PNM (People’s National Movement) expected, the final court of appeal handed down a unanimous ruling where they found TT in September 2015 did participate in free and fair elections that met all constitutional standards of the democracy of TT.” He said while Persad-Bissessar is claiming victory and that the elections were not free and fair, “the court has found on the contrary.” He explained, “In their ruling, they found that in occasions where there may be blemishes... however before and after six...nothing to compromise the fairness of the elections last year.” Young said the d?b?cle which the UNC has put the country through is over and the ruling demonstrates that the PNM won last September’s general elections convincingly. Asked whether this ruling is likely to stymie collaboration between the Government and the Opposition in the Parliament, Young said, “ I hope not. Lets get on with the governing of the country.

We in the Government stand will to collaborate in the best interests of all of TT.” Persad-Bissessar, who was not at the Hall of Justice nor at the Standing Finance Committee meeting at the House of Representatives, maintained in a statement that the ruling vindicated the Opposition.

She noted the Court of Appeal confirmed the Elections and Boundaries Commission’s (EBC) decision to extend the time for voting in last September’s general election was illegal and unconstitutional.

With Local Government Elections imminent, Persad-Bissessar said the Opposition is, “imminent in the knowledge that, come rain or sunshine, there can be no recurrence of the unlawful meddling and intervention by the EBC.” Persad-Bissessar reiterated the UNC was justified in filing the election petition, saying, “justice has been served, according to law.”