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Chief Elections Officer Fern Narcis-Scope assures that the Elections and Boundaries Commission is ready to host the 2020 polls despite the COVID-19 pandemic.

At a virtual session hosted by the T&T Publishers and Broadcasters Association yesterday, Mrs. Narcis-Scope said the commission has been in election mode since last year.

Mrs. Narcis-Scope noted that while masks are important, not having one would not be enough to prevent someone from casting their ballot.

Several countries were due to hold General Elections this year but they have opted to postpone their polls in light of the COVID-19 pandemic. 

A candidate for the Movement for Social Justice’s candidate for Fyzabad, Radhaka Gualbance has reported to the police that a man who seemed to be a supporter of the United National Congress physically attacked her.

Ms. Gualbance says she was assaulted while on a walk about in Fyzabad last Thursday.

In a Facebook post yesterday morning, Ms. Gualbance said the elderly man tailed her and hurled verbal insults, before eventually physically assaulting her.

She believes she was targeted as a woman because her fellow candidates in the walkabout were not attacked.

Ms. Gualbance said the man stopped his vehicle in the center of the road, jumped out, hurling insults at her before calling on a constituent by name to chase her out of the area.

She said both she and the constituent she was speaking with paid no mind and the man got back into his vehicle and left.

But the MSJ candidate said while at another constituent’s place on Berridge Trace, Dow Village, Fyzabad, she saw the man again.

This time the man is reported to have grabbed Ms. Gualbance by the arm and demanded money to vote for her.

Some of her colleagues went to her rescue.

A report was made to the Fyzabad Police Station.

With 3 weeks to go till Election Day there are more questions from the Opposition on what is the process used to determine who is granted exemptions.

Kamla Persad Bissessar is insisting, government must find ways of bringing home those stuck in foreign countries.

Mrs. Bissessar is still not pleased with the method being used by the government to repatriate nationals, affected by the COVID-triggered border closures.

The government of Prime Minister Dr. Keith Rowley have confirmed thousands have already been brought back, and there are others to come.

She said the government’s way so far is hurting families and dousing hopes.

At the unveiling of the UNC’s candidates for August 10^th, which was aired last Saturday, Mrs. Persad Bissessar also suggested a program, which she believes, would help people who are yet to return to work because of COVID measures.

It is called a ‘wage subsidy’. 

She said her team is putting the pieces together before she is able to give more information on the ‘wage subsidy’.

A Fire Fighter has been found dead on a beach in Mayaro.

Forty-seven-year-old Chester Richardson was found dead by a couple walking along the beach on Saturday night.

Fire Fighter Richardson was from Arima and was last attached to the San Juan Fire Station.

Reports are saying there were no marks of violence on the body of Mr. Richardson.

There is a belief that he drowned.

Mr. Richardson was the father of 2.

An autopsy is expected today.

The Bar Keepers and Operators Association says while it is pleased their businesses can now open till 10pm, those found in breach of COVID-19 regulations should be penalized.

Head of the association Teron Mohan tells Newscenter 5 everyone has to be responsible.

The government had reverted to 8pm after videos circulating on social media showed large groups of patrons gathered at bars immediately after the restrictions were lifted.

However Mr. Mohan says those who can’t hear should feel.

Mr. Mohan is calling for dialogue with the authorities on the way forward.

The bar owners sought legal action following the government’s decision and have said they feel vindicated by the courts.

Yesterday Mr. Mohan laid out the plan for safety during the revised operating hours.

On Saturday Health Minister Terrence Deyalsingh urged patrons and operators to be responsible and adhere to the safety guidelines.

Police are probing the circumstances surrounding the killing of Gideon King.

Mr. King was stabbed to death by a close female relative at his Toco Road, Matura home yesterday

According to reports, Mr. King and the suspected were involved in an argument when it turned physical.

It is said during the brawl the suspect picked up a knife and stabbed Mr. King in the chest.

Mr. King is said to have died on the way to hospital.

Mr. King was 40-years-old.

He was the Head Chef at Castro’s Restaurant and Bar in Arima.

The woman has since been detained by police and is said to be assisting officers with their investigations.