Landslide sees Jack Warner re-elected as chair of Trinidad and Tobago UNC

By Andrew Warshaw

March 26 – Disgraced former FIFA vice-president Jack Warner has been re-elected as chairman of Trinidad and Tobago’s United National Congress (UNC) as his political career shows no sign of being marred by the corruption scandal that led to him resigning last year from all footballing activities.

Thousands of voters stayed away from the polls, recording an all-time low turnout.

But those UNC members who did ballot came out in full support of Warner (pictured right with Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar), the incumbent chairman, who still commands enormous influence in his homeland.

Warner claimed a landslide victory after whipping his main rival, lawyer Ashvani Mahabir.

According to local reports, Warner, who is Trinidad and Tobago’s Works and Infrastructure Minister, was re-elected with 12,656 votes, with Mahabir mustering a mere 656.

Ahead of the weekend vote, Warner questioned the fairness and transparency of the internal party election in typically controversial fashion.

“This election is not for the Johnny-come-latelies or for candidates with axes to grind,” he told a public meeting.

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