PNM starts Local Govt campaign

However, supporters at the 46th Convention, titled, “Reform: Let’s Make It Real,” will have to wait until the latter part of the event to witness the presentation of the party’s 137 candidates as the morning segment of the convention is being reserved for the presentation of reports from officers of the party, PNM General Secretary Ashton Ford said yesterday.

Ford said of the 11 positions to be filled on the party’s executive at today’s event, seven are being contested unopposed.

These include Lady Vice-Chairman (Camille Robinson-Regis); PRO (Stuart Young); Labour Relations Officer (Jennifer Baptiste-Primus); Elections Officer (Foster Cummings); Operations Officer (Irene Hinds); Field Officer (Indar Parasram); Asst General Secretary (Daniel Dookie) and Treasurer (Dr Lester Henry).

For the post of Education Officer, Neil Parsanlal, a former Information Minister, is being challenged by Sibler Jack and John Paul Alexander while Sport Minister and Diego Martin Central MP Darryl Smith, Chinua Alleyne and Stephen Mathison are in the running for the position of Youth Officer.

Joycelyn Bodden is coming up against Carolyn Washington-Aigle for the position of Welfare Officer.

Voting will take place under the new one man, one vote system.

Ford said the posts of Political Leader, held by Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley, as well as that of Chairman, Vice-Chairman and General Secretary, will not be contested.

“We were elected in 2014 and our term ends in 2018,” he said.

“Persons serving in the other posts were also elected in 2014 but have two-year terms.” Some 17,000 people are eligible to vote in today’s election, which is expected to take place between the hours of 9 am and 2 pm.

Rowley, who led the PNM to a 23-18 victory in the September 7, 2015, general election, is expected to address the convention at around 4 pm.

Party chairman and Minister of Rural Development and Local Government Franklin Khan is also expected to deliver an address.

The Prime Minister also will name three deputy leaders at the convention. Kelvin Charles, was automatically appointed deputy leader (Tobago Affairs) following his elevation to the political leader of the PNM Tobago Council in last July’s Tobago Council leadership election.

Ford said the PNM had mobilised its supporters in all of the 41 constituencies and the party expected a massive turnout.

In the 2013 Local Government Election, the PNM won eight of the 14 regional/municipal corporation bodies: Port-of-Spain City Corporation; Arima Borough Corporation; Point Fortin Borough Corporation; Tunapuna/Piarco Regional Corporation; Diego Martin Regional Corporation; San Fernando Borough Corporation; San Juan/ Laventille Regional Corporation; and Sangre Grande Regional Corporation According to the Elections and Boundaries Commission (EBC), the total electorate in the 2013 poll was 1,036,731. However, only 451,179 votes were cast, representing a 43.52 per cent voter turnout.

Ford said the party was hoping to retain the local government bodies it won in the last election as well as increase its standing in non-traditional PNM areas.

“What we have already, we are hoping to increase. But we are not offering any targets,” he said.

Ford said the PNM remained the only party to contest all of the electoral districts in Local Government Election