An altercation on the eve of the Tobago House of Assembly elections cast a shadow over an otherwise calm and orderly polling day.
The incident prompted a response by the Political Leader of the Tobago People’s Party, Farley Augustine, and his Deputy Political Leader, Dr. Faith Brebnor.
The clash, which involved an elderly woman, was described by Mr. Augustine as “highly unusual” for Tobago’s political culture.
Speaking to reporters after he cast his ballot on Monday, he strongly condemned the incident.
“That is very unusual for Tobago. What is usual is heavy picong. What is usual is for us to throw barbs at each other. And usually we get on with our lives pretty quickly. The truth is, the last five or so years, the politics in Tobago has evolved into being a lot more testy than before, a lot more ferocious in terms of how we politic all round. And many things probably account for that. But certainly, on our end, we don’t endorse violence as a response to political opposition at all.”
Dr. Brebnor also echoed the call for calm during election periods.
“It’s unfortunate the situation that happened yesterday, and I want to also call for us to be a little bit more disciplined, for us to remember that all of we is Tobagonians and that after today, we all need to live here peacefully so that when we act today, we could lift our heads high tomorrow as well. I actually spoke to her shortly after it happened because she sent a message to us. I spoke to her, and she was seen at the hospital. And I have not spoken to her this morning, but she was fine up to yesterday evening after she left the hospital.”