Media Releases

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, by way of public notice in the Press, advise of the last day by which the return relating to a particular election must be submitted. For these recently concluded elections, the deadline date is Tuesday 9th March, 2021. 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 the 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

The recounts in the five electoral districts have ended. The outcomes remain unchanged.

The Elections and Boundaries Commission (EBC)  received official requests for general recounts of the votes cast in five electoral districts – four in Tobago and one in Trinidad.

In Tobago, the Progressive Democratic Patriots has requested recounts in the electoral districts of Canaan/Bon Accord, Lambeau/ Signal Hill and Scarborough/Calder Hall. The People’s National Movement has requested a recount in the electoral district of Bethel/Mt. Irvine.

In the Local Government Bye-Elections, the independent candidate Christopher Wright, who received 307 votes in the electoral district of Hollywood, requested a recount.

Election Rule 101(1) of the Representation of the People Act, Chapter 2:01 provides for, inter alia, political parties and/or independent candidates to request a recount into the votes cast, no later than twelve noon on the day after the election.

The full details of the Press Release can be found in this attachment.

Press Release – Recounts in both THA and Local Government Bye-Elections, January 26, 2021

Voting is quick, simple , easy and SAFE! We’ve done our part to safeguard you on election day, but we remind you to wear your mask, it;s the law. Sanitize your hands before enternig the polling station and before you dip your finger in the electoral ink!

It’s Safe to Vote

Election Agents and Sub-Agents for the 2021 THA and Local Gov’t Bye-Elections

The Elections and Boundaries Commission (EBC) wishes to advise the public that on Sunday 24^th January, 2021 ONLY, it’s “walk-in” service for senior citizens for the renewal of expired National Identification cards will be suspended of the island of Tobago and in the following electoral districts in Trinidad:

• Arima Central
• Cunupia
• Hindustan/ St. Mary’s
• Hollywood and
• Morne Coco/Alyce Glen

The suspension of this service on this day ONLY at the relevant EBC offices has become necessary to facilitate preparations for the 2021 Tobago House of Assembly and Local Government Bye-Elections to be held on Monday, January 25^th 2021.

Persons sixty years and over are reminded that in lieu of this “walk-in” facility, they can make an appointment through the EBC’s Call Centre to renew their expired National Identification cards.

The EBC’s Call Centre numbers are:

• 785-8572
• 785-7247
• 491-6432
• 491-6258
• 786-0856
• 773-8962

Our Call Centre’s hours of operation are Mondays-Fridays 8:00 a.m.-6:00 p.m. and Saturdays 9:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m.

Press Release – EBC temporary suspension of walk-in service owing to 2021 THA and LG Bye-Elections 

The Elections and Boundaries Commission wishes to advise that Special Polling Stations established by Returning Officers in accordance with Election Rule 73(1) of the Representation of the People Act, Chapter 2:01 for the 2021 Tobago House of Assembly Elections and Local Government Bye-Elections will function from Monday 18th January to Sunday 24th January, 2021 between the hours of 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

For the full listing of the addresses of these Special Polling Stations established by Returning Officers, please see the information flyer here.

SPECIAL POLLING STATIONS ESTABLISHED BY RETURNING OFFICERS

Pursuant to Election Rule 76 of the Representation of the People Act, Chapter 2:01, additional Special Polling Stations have been established by the Elections and Boundaries Commission to facilitate Special Electors for the upcoming 2021 Tobago House of Assembly Elections and Local Government Bye-Elections.

These additional Special Polling Stations will function from Tuesday 19^th January to Friday 22^nd January, 2021 between the hours of 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

For the locations and operations of these Special Polling Stations, please see the information flyer here.

Establishment of Additional Special Polling Stations

Form 49

Form 50

The Elections and Boundaries Commission wishes to inform all persons who have applied to be treated as Special Electors for the 2021 Tobago House of Assembly Elections and Local Government Bye-Elections that Special Envelopes can be collected at the Registration Area Office as specified on their application form.

Registration Area Offices will be open for collection of these Special envelopes from Friday 15^th January, 2021 to Saturday 23^rd January, 2021 during the days and times as indicated hereunder:

Monday – Friday: 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.

Saturday and Sunday: 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

Special Electors are reminded to provide their National Identification Card to facilitate the collection of Special Envelopes.

Collection of Special Envelopes 2021 THA and Local Gov’t Bye-Elections

The Elections and Boundaries Commission wishes to thank senior citizens for today’s overwhelming response to its invitation to attend its offices for the ‘walk-in’ service specifically for the renewal of expired national identification cards.

Sunday 10^th January, 2021, was the first of the ‘Walk-In’ Sundays at all EBC Registration Area Offices and Registration Area Sub-offices and despite the long lines of persons who availed themselves of this service, we were pleased for the opportunity to attend to all.

The full details of this Press Release are contained in this document.

Overwhelming response to EBC’s invitation to senior citizens’ to ‘walk-in’ on Sundays to renew their expired National Identification Cards