The People's National Party (PNP) will have tight security around the National Arena on Saturday when delegates vote to elect a president and four vice-presidents.

With a strong police presence expected, the PNP is also implementing several measures to restrict the number of persons in the voting area and to prevent persons who are not delegates from accessing the National Stadium compound.

The party will also be trying to prevent Comrades from taking weapons on to the compound.

"All delegates entering the National Stadium compound will be searched at the screening area by members of the JCF. No weapons will be allowed on the compound and holders of legal firearms should make arrangements for the storage of their guns," declared PNP chairman Robert Pickersgill as he addressed members of the media yesterday.

Pickersgill admitted that the campaign has been nasty, but rejected suggestions that the security measures were being implemented to prevent a war by opposing supporters.

Capable

"We do not anticipate a war," he said. "We have had 14 general elections and several internal elections. We have the capability to deal with matters arising and that capability will be on display."

But even as he boasted, the PNP chairman admitted that the party would be assessing the proceedings on Saturday before deciding if it would carry out its plan to announce the election results inside the National Arena.

"In these contests, emotions run high," Pickersgill said, while accepting that there was much at stake for the candidates and their supporters.

However, he expressed confidence in the Comrades, noting that other internal elections had been contentious, but the results had been accepted.

As part of its efforts to ensure that these results are accepted, the secretariat will today ask both campaign teams to officially indicate their acceptance of the voters' list.

About the PNP's election

Approximately 4,500 delegates are registered to vote.

The PNP's election process is slated to begin at 8:30 a.m. on Saturday with the registration and screening of voters.

Voting is scheduled to get under way at 9 a.m in 50 polling booths at the National Arena and end at 2 p.m

The PNP president and the four vice-presidents could be announced by 8 p.m. on Saturday.