Recall Project Leader: None of the Signatures Was Fraudulent

In sharp contrast to reports that some of the signatories were coerced or conned into attaching their names without being properly briefed of the specific purpose of the petition, August said that while not all the pages might have included a heading, each person was shown and read the heading. He explained that the U.D.P Constitution does not specify that the heading must be included on each sheet of paper signed. August also vehemently denied any report that they duped the signatories into signing the petition. He said that it is interesting to hear that signatories are now second-guessing signing the petition. At the end of the day, August said that the faction is of the view that the U.D.P Chairman has acted unilaterally and the matter could very well end up in the court.

Alberto August

Alberto August, Vice Chair, U.D.P

“Nothing could be further from the truth. Every single set of petitions that went out had almost two pages of information as to why these people were signing these petitions. Just like the national laws of this country, in terms of the recall of an elected member of the House of Representatives, you’re not required to give any reason, but for this purpose we gave six reasons to the delegates as to why the party leader is supposed to be recalled. And in terms of our meetings with them, we read that to them. We gave them the petition for them to read and sign. Now, of course you nuh wa have the heading pahn all of the pages because da two pages soh you had the attachments to it, and some of them signed on the third page weh might not have had the heading. But the entire document included two pages of information, although all we could have said was that you’re signing to call the party leader but we gave them six reasons as to why the party leader should be recalled. There is barely any accusation, I should say, accusation that people did not know what they were signing. The allegation coming from them is that they are retracting their signatures. In other words, they were having a change of heart. It’s like the legal counsel said, they will have an opportunity to change their mind if they want to, but this is not the process for that. We are in a position where the national chairperson of the party is taking a unilateral decision on this matter. We have requested for him – while he is the national chairperson of the party, he is not the legal advisor of the party – we have requested for him to seek the advice of the legal advisor of the party and he’s refusing to do so. So he’s taking this matter on a unilateral stance. He is telling us that the opinion of the legal advisor will be just that – a legal opinion. But his opinion is also an opinion too.”