VOTING for special electors in the April 28 general election started on April 21.

The Elections and Boundaries Commission (EBC) made this announcement in a statement on that day.

A total of 16,748 people are eligible to vote as special electors.

These are people who vote ahead of election day because they will be unable to vote on that day.

The EBC said, "The initial proceedings were relatively smooth. The establishment of special polling stations, in keeping with special voting requirements, is an integral part of the commission's responsibility to conduct elections and will continue over the coming days."

Designated special electors, the commission continued, are reminded to actively engage in the process.

The commission encouraged them to collect their designated special envelopes promptly.

"This ensures proper participation and alignment with the special voting timeline."

Voting for special electors ends on April 27.

The commission said the highest special elector turnout on April 21 was in the Aranguez/ St Joseph constituency, where special voters continued to wait within the polling station precinct beyond 3 pm.

The total number of special electors who cast their ballots on April 21 was over 1,400.

The EBC said, "Special electors are reminded that their voting procedure differs from the standard process and may require additional time. As a result, longer-than-usual wait times were observed today at some locations."

The commission added it appreciates the patience and co-operation of all participants as "we facilitate an effective and efficient electoral process."

In a statement on April 17, the EBC notified political parties and independent candidates about special voting for citizens employed in the energy sector who work offshore (on oil platforms in TT's maritime areas).

The commission organised voting on April 16 and 17, for these people.

The EBC provided all political parties and independent candidates with statements of contents from the special ballot boxes from each of these special voting exercises.

The commission said, "On April 16, a total of 58 persons voted, and on April 17, an additional 16 persons cast their votes. This brings the overall total to 74 persons who exercised their franchise at the offshore special voting exercises thus far."

The EBC added political parties and independent candidates were provided with this information.

In a statement on April 16, in response to claims from the UNC about irregularities in special elector voting in San Fernando East, the commission said the situation arose from an "oversight" by the returning officer, who "neglected to immediately affix a seal to the empty ballot box while witnesses for candidates were present."

EBC said the oversight was "quickly identified" and the returning officer contacted representatives from the various political parties, who were present earlier in the day.

"However, despite numerous follow-up calls, the representative for the United National Congress did not come back to complete t