NJAC undecided on local govt elections

He disclosed that the United National Congress (UNC), which comprises the majority of the official Opposition in Parliament, has written to NJAC for discussions with the party.

Mutema also did not rule out the possibility of NJAC holding talks with the Congress of the People (COP) about the elections.

The COP holds the last of the 18 Opposition seats in the House of Representatives through its former political leader, St Augustine MP Prakash Ramadhar. Mutema said at this time, he could not pronounce on what decision NJAC will take regarding the upcoming elections. “The jury is out,” he stated.

The ruling People’s National Movement (PNM) and the UNC are currently actively screening persons as local government candidates.

PNM chairman Franklin Khan has hinted the party will launch its local government campaign when it holds its annual convention in October.

The PP originally comprised the UNC, COP, NJAC, Movement for Social Justice (MSJ) and Tobago Organisation of the People (TOP) when it was formed in 2010. The MSJ left the coalition in June 2012.

The PP was dissolved following its defeat in last September’s general elections.