Media Releases

The Elections and Boundaries Commission (EBC) advises that the Registration Area Sub Office for Penal/Debe, located at 1323 S.S. Erin Road, Penal; and the  Registration Area Office for Siparia, located at 14 Mary Street, Siparia will be closed on Wednesday 23rd October 2024  due to a planned electrical outage.

Normal operations will resume on Thursday 24th October, 2024.

The EBC apologizes for any inconvenience that this temporary closure may cause.

The Elections and Boundaries Commission (EBC) advises that the Registration Area Office for Couva, located at TECU Building, Ground Floor, 80-82 Southern Main Road, Couva, will be closed from 1 pm on Friday 11th October 2024.

Normal operations will resume on Monday 14th October 2024.

The EBC apologizes for any inconvenience that this temporary closure may cause.

The Elections and Boundaries Commission (EBC) advises that the Registration Area Office for Tunapuna, located at Tunapuna Administrative Complex, Corner Eastern Main Road and Centenary Street, Tunapuna, will be closed from noon on Friday 4th October 2024. This closure is due to the office being sprayed for mosquitoes.

Normal operations should resume on Monday 7th October 2024.

The EBC apologizes for any inconvenience that this temporary closure may cause.

The Elections and Boundaries Commission (EBC) advises that the Registration Area Office for Penal/Debe, located at 1323 S.S. Erin Road, Penal; and the  Registration Area Office for Siparia, located at 14 Mary Street, Siparia will be closed on Wednesday 25th September 2024  as both offices are without electricity.

Normal operations should resume on Thursday 26th September, 2024.

The EBC apologizes for any inconvenience that this temporary closure may cause.

The Elections and Boundaries Commission (EBC) advises that its Registration Area Office for Arima & Piarco, located at 16-17 Pro Queen Street, Arima, will be closed on Friday 13th September 2024 from noon to accommodate spraying of the building by the Insect Vector Control Division.

Normal operations will resume on Monday 16th September, 2024.

The EBC apologizes for any inconvenience that this temporary closure may cause.

The Elections and Boundaries Commission (EBC) advises that its Registration Area Office for Arima/Piarco, located at 16-17 Pro Queen Street, Arima, will be closed from noon on Tuesday 20th August 2024.

Normal operations will resume on Wednesday 21st  August 2024.

The EBC apologizes for any inconvenience that this temporary closure may cause.

The Elections and Boundaries Commission (EBC) advises that its Registration Area Office for Princes Town, located at 145 High Street, Princes Town (Corner Naparima Mayaro Road & St. Croix Rd.) will be closed on Friday 9th August 2024 from noon to facilitate spraying of the building.

Normal operations will resume on Monday 12th August 2024.

The EBC apologizes for any inconvenience that this temporary closure may cause.

The Elections and Boundaries Commission (EBC) today clarified its position on the selection of Returning Officers in response to recent media reports.

During a workshop on “Enhancing Ethical and Effective Coverage” on Tuesday, August 6, 2024, EBC Chairman Mr. Mark Ramkerrysingh addressed a question raised about potential political affiliations of Returning Officers.

The EBC has received allegations from various political parties about Returning Officers being members of political parties. To address these concerns and safeguard the integrity of the electoral process, the Commission sought legal advice on requiring applicants for the position of Returning Officer to declare whether they are a member of a political party.

The legal opinion confirmed that such an inquiry is both advisable and lawful. It distinguishes between declaring whether one is a member of a political party and disclosing voting preferences, which is protected by the principle of secret ballot. Membership in a political party implies a level of allegiance or affiliation that could potentially create the perception of bias or apparent bias.

The EBC emphasizes its commitment to impartiality and transparency in the electoral process. Requiring applicants to declare their membership is a proactive step to mitigate potential conflicts of interest and maintain public confidence in the electoral system.

The Commission would like to clarify that recent media reports suggesting that the EBC is asking Returning Officers to declare their political allegiance are misleading and inaccurate. The focus remains on ensuring that the electoral process is free, fair, and credible.

Press Release -EBC steps to address issues concerning appointment of Returning Officers. 07.08.24

The Elections and Boundaries Commission (EBC) advises that its Registration Area Office for Point Fortin, located at 28 Canaan Road, Point Fortin will be closed on Friday 5th July 2024 from noon to accommodate spraying of the building by the Public Health Department.

Normal operations will resume on Monday 8th July, 2024.

The EBC apologizes for any inconvenience that this temporary closure may cause.

The EBC wishes to advise that section 52 of the Representation of the People Act, Chap. 2:01 of the Laws of Trinidad and Tobago (the Act) requires the Election Agent of every candidate who contested an election, to submit to the Chief Election Officer in respect of the candidate “a statement of all payments made by the Election Agent”. The submission is also required to be made by a candidate who acted as his own election agent. However, by section 39 of the Act, persons who contested a City or Borough election, are not required to file such a return.

The return is required to be submitted within forty-two (42) days after the day on which the result of the election was declared by the Returning Officer. In calculating the period within which the return must be submitted, Saturdays and Sundays are counted, while Public Holidays are excluded. The Elections and Boundaries Commission will advise of the last day by which the return relating to a particular election must be submitted. For the recently concluded Local Government Elections (LGE) 2024, the deadline date is Wednesday 31st July 2024. Completed specimen Forms Nos. 3, 4 and 5, which are to be used in the process, are published here for your guidance.

FORM NO. 3

Any person, other than the Election Agent, who incurs expenses on behalf of a candidate, having been authorised in writing by the Election Agent to do so, is required to submit a return relative to such expenses together with a declaration in Form No. 3 of the Rules. Such return and declaration must be submitted to the Chief Election Officer within twenty-one (21) days after the date of publication of the result of the election.

Form No. 3 [SPECIMEN]

Form 3

FORM NO. 4

The “statement of all payments made by the Election Agent” is made in the form set out as Form No. 4 in the Prescribed Forms Rules of the Act (the Rules), and must be accompanied by all relevant bills and receipts.

Form No. 4 [SPECIMEN]

Form 4

FORM NO. 5

The return being submitted by an Election Agent must be accompanied by a declaration made by him in the Form No. 5 of the Rules. Additionally, each candidate is also required to submit a similar declaration (Form No. 5) at the same time that the return is being submitted by the Election Agent, or within seven (7) days afterwards. However, where the candidate is out of Trinidad and Tobago when the return is submitted, the declaration must be submitted within fourteen (14) days of his return to the country.

Form No. 5 – Declaration by the Candidate [SPECIMEN]

Form No. 5 – Declaration by the Election Agent [SPECIMEN]

Form No. 5 – Declaration by the Candidate acting as His own Election Agent [SPECIMEN]

Form 5