What will be the Symbols to Differentiate the Two UDP Factions?

On Tuesday, the Elections and Boundaries Commission (EBC) ruled that Moses “Shyne” Barrow and Tracy Panton will both appear on the ballot in the traditional United Democratic Party (UDP) red, but with different symbols.

Election Day on March 12 is drawing near, and this decision has raised major questions.

EBC’s Commissioner Orlando Espat weighed in on the growing colour dispute between the two factions of the UDP. Espat confirmed that both sides of the UDP have requested the colour red for the upcoming election ballot. Espat told reporters this morning that “in the case that the political parties cannot agree with a colour, then there’s a section in the representation of the People’s Act that empowers the commission to assign colours or symbols to the political parties.”

Espat added, “What is confirmed is that the two sides will get red on the ballot. What is not confirmed yet is the symbol that they will choose to put on the red.”

While the choice of colour remains settled, the question of symbols is still up in the air. Espat said that the party members will need to return next week with a symbol to distinguish between the two.

But will UDP supporters march to the polls and get confused at the moment of casting their vote? Espat acknowledged the potential for voter confusion, stating that “it is the duty of the political parties to educate people too. It’s not only the duty of the Elections and Boundaries Commission and the department.”

Espat also clarified that while it’s unlikely, a faction could technically request a different colour on nomination day. However, once nominations are in, the EBC will begin the major task of preparing the ballots, and it would be too late to make last-minute changes.