We have learnt that the Barclays bank incident was not pepper spray but a chocking gas from a canister that was deliberately dropped by someone to cause panic. According to bank officials their preliminary investigation indicate it was a member of a security firm owned by a supporter of the SPPF who was responsible. The commissioner of police is trying to turn this into a politically motivated attack by sympathiser of the opposition. There is serious concern that members of this security firm working with elements in the army will create disturbances after the result is announced so that Michel, who will still be president will declare a state of emergency, which can be extended to one year by the National Assembly controlled by the SPPF. According to the Constitution the new president takes office the day after the declaration of election of president by the electoral commissioner, who has indicated he will announce the result after midnight on Sunday which means if Ramkalawan wins he will only be able to take office on Tuesday.
Likewise the incident where a number of young men were found with machetes at La Poudriere road had nothing to do with politics. It was an isolated drug trafficking related incident which the police was unable to handle. The police commissioner it appears, is trying to fan the fear of violence and blaming the opposition in a bid to give credence to Rene’s threat made a week ago which we have reproduced in our current issue. There are fears among the international observes that SPPF will not accept the result of the election if Michel loses. When asked by the BBC reporter if, in the unlikely event he lost the election, will he accept the result Michel refused to answer the question. The BBC interviewed Michel after the church service organised by the leaders of the Catholic and Anglican Thursday.