But was it untrue? Today, the Chief Elections Officer, Josephine Tamai, confirmed to us that she received the petitions on February 21st. The GG received Martinez's recall petition on January 16th - and the law says she, quote, "shall forthwith refer the petition to the Chief Elections Officer for verification of the signatures".
That "forthwith" apparently did not happen.
So, as it stands now - Municipal Elections will be long finished by the time the petition is verified and returned to the GG.
But while Tamai chose not to comment on Martinez's remarks, she said that the process to verify the signatures has already begun despite all the simultaneous election prep.
Josephine Tamai, Chief Elections Officer
"Well, the verification have started and we're doing several things at the same time, right? And so that process has already started."
Reporter
"Do you know what might have explained the lapse in time from the time Boots submitted it on January 16th?"
Josephine Tamai, Chief Elections Officer
"That is something I really can't answer. I could only speak to the date that I received it."
Reporter
"What do you make of his criticisms of the Governor General being the reason for the delay?"
Josephine Tamai, Chief Elections Officer
"Well, I would not even want to speculate or to say anything in regards to that. And so basically I have no comment when it comes to that."
Reporter
"Is it difficult to juggle both the petition and the municipal elections?"
Josephine Tamai, Chief Elections Officer
"It's a bit challenging, yes, because like I said, everybody knows that when it come to planning an election and everything, you know, it's a lot of work that we have to put in."
"But nonetheless, it's something that we will be able to handle. And so I'm certain that I will be able to."
We'll have more on the upcoming election from the Chief Elections Officer later on in the news.
