Former political leader of the United National Congress (UNC), Basdeo Panday, said yesterday he was prepared to go to court to ensure that the the party's upcoming internal elections are free and fair.

And if that election is "stolen" from the members, he said, they would be justified by forming a new political party to contest the next local government and general elections.

Panday was addressing UNC activists at a meeting at the party's headquarters at Rienzi Complex, Couva, yesterday.

He will not be contesting any post in the UNC internal elections scheduled to be held in March. Instead he will be advising a slate under the banner - "Generation Next". Former UNC minister Dr Adesh Nanan, was present.

"We must also demand that the counting of ballots take place at the polling station on the very day of the election and we be present at counting," he said.

Panday has written to the party's general secretary asking for an updated list of all members eligible to vote, date for nomination of candidates, post and offices for which the election will be held and the addresses of polling stations.

He reminded his troop that the election was just 50 days away and they had not a moment to lose. He said the UNC was dying, being strangled by the People's Partnership Government.