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The United National Congress (UNC) came shockingly close to capturing one of the People’s National Movement’s (PNM) most iconic seats, San Fernando East, triggering a recount after an unexpectedly strong showing by political newcomer John Michael Alibocas.

The preliminary count placed Alibocas just 662 votes behind incumbent Brian Manning, the son of the late Prime Minister Patrick Manning. It was the closest the UNC has ever come to toppling the PNM in this long-standing stronghold. The party has since filed a formal request with the Elections and Boundaries Commission (EBC) for a general and final recount, citing reports of irregularities, including an unlocked ballot box at a polling station.

The recount began at 3 p.m. yesterday at the Pleasantville Secondary School and was ongoing late into the evening.