Dr Charles elected new leader of NAR

Charles took over from Lennox Sankersingh, who had occupied the post for three consecutive terms.

Charles, in his maiden address as leader, talked about uniting the country and taking it back "from the hands of cynical users and abusers, who always seem to want a salary increase, but cannot reform the police or prisons."

Sankersingh, in his farewell speech as leader, called for fundamental reform and proper planning to deal with the crime situation.

In his call for unification, Charles said, "Our party did not achieve its mission of uniting the country on its first try. If we took a wrong turn last time in some things, we know now what would be the better path."

Charles spoke about the present crime situation and about NAR’s plan to give the youths a chance again.

He went on to congratulate Winston Dookeran on his elevation to political leader of the United National Congress, noting that for the first time a political leader can actually hand over the office to someone else while he is still alive.

Also elected to the major contested positions were Clyde Constantine as general secretary, Kris Goorcharran as membership and mobilisation officer and Daryl Naranjit as public relations officer. Other positions such as party chairman which is occupied by Rawle Raphael, remain unopposed.