Foreign and CARICOM Affairs Minister Dr. Amery Browne has rejected the Opposition’s claim that the proposed amendments to the Immigration  Act was an attempt by government to promote voter padding.

The amendment seeks to broaden the category of skilled CARICOM nationals that can work in T&T.

But Dr. Browne said it was mischievous to suggest these CARICOM nationals would be allowed to vote in local elections.

“These amendments have nothing to do with voter padding or the capacity of any CARICOM national to vote in Trinidad and Tobago,” he said.

“That is not being amended within this amendment bill that is before the senate.”

Dr. Browne explained there are more lengthy criteria to make someone who comes to T&T under a Caribbean Single Market and Economy (CSME) eligible to vote.