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Gary calls for clean campaigning as elections near

Beena Mahase

March 26, 2025 12:10 PM ET

2 mins read

With just about one month to go before the general election, Political Leader of the National Transformation Alliance (NTA), Gary Griffith is urging all political parties to commit to clean, lawful, and respectful campaigning. 

In a media release on Wednesday, Griffith also called on them to “exercise restraint and professionalism during this election campaign and to refrain from defacing the country with posters, banners, and painted messages on public roads, lampposts and private walls.”

Griffith said that apart from being illegal, such actions are highly inappropriate.

“Too often, in the enthusiasm to promote their parties and influence voters, political groups resort to plastering the nation with campaign materials. This results in widespread defacement of roads, walls, and other public spaces, turning our beautiful country into an eyesore,” he said. 

Griffith said even more concerning is that long after elections have passed, these remnants of the campaign remain, littering our streets and communities for years.

“ It is unacceptable that any political party would knowingly break the law in this way, particularly when no approvals are granted for painting on roads or defacing properties,” he added. 

“The NTA firmly believes that political parties should set a standard, never condone such activities, and they should all send a clear and strong message to their supporters and the wider public that no one should engage in this illegal activity, as well as urge the police to act with haste if persons choose to commit these criminal acts. 

He added that beyond legality, “common sense and civic responsibility should dictate that our nation deserves better.” 

“There is no justification for defacing Trinidad and Tobago under the guise of political promotion,” Griffith said.