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BIU denies asking for party affiliation in election airlift

Union leader Derrick Burgess has dismissed claims that the BIU sought information on the party affiliation of students planning to return to Bermuda from overseas colleges to vote.

In yesterday's issue of The Royal Gazette Renalda Bean, who is flying home from college in Nova Scotia, tomorrow, claimed the BIU boss promised to reimburse any student flying home -- but wanted to know first which party they would be voting for.

On Thursday night Mr. Burgess confirmed that the union was looking into the possibility of funding the students' flight home, but denied any union official had requested voting intention details.

In a statement today Mr. Burgess claimed Government had deliberately called the election at a time when students would be out of the country.

"The BIU is of the firm belief that all citizens of this country should be given an opportunity to vote at a General Election.

"However, because of present laws, many persons are disenfranchised.

Primarily in this category are students overseas in schools getting the education needed to get the jobs they deserve. It was this group that we were concerned about.

"It was the union's intention to assist any student who wanted to come home to exercise his or her right to vote. However, this union never promised the use of members money to reimburse students, nor did any union official pry into the party affiliation of any student who may have asked our help. Such an act is unethical and this union is truly an ethical organisation.

"However, the union is gravely concerned that parents of overseas students, already overladen with steep tuition and school expenses, should even have to consider the additional expense of bringing home a child for a day or two to vote.

Earlier, UBP campaign chairman Mike Winfield insisted that, had the election been called during the summer, when most students are back on Island, the country's tourism industry would suffer.