Here comes...President Max

UNLIKE the unpredictable West Indies cricket team, George Maxwell Richards was yesterday elected the fourth President of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago. It came as no surprise when Speaker of the House of Representatives and chairman of the Electoral College, Barry Sinanan announced at 2.35 pm that Richards had received 43 votes to the 25 garnered by Ganace Ramdial. With Richards expected to receive 37 PNM votes (including the casting vote of the Speaker), it was clear that he picked up six of the nine votes from the Independent benches.

Ramdial, the nominee of the UNC, was certain of 22, with the other three coming from the Independent Senators.

In 1997, Arthur NR Robinson received 46 votes to Justice Anthony Lucky's 18. There was one spoilt ballot.

The election of a new President to succeed Robinson had been the focus of much public debate, but when the Speaker arrived in the Chamber at 1 pm, the public gallery was almost empty. There was no great public interest yesterday in how the Electoral College was going to select a new President.

Speaker Sinanan informed the Electoral College (comprising members of the House and Senate) that he had received nominations from Richards and Ramdial on February 4. He declared them both suitably qualified to be elected and pointed out that there were no objections from anyone.

Before opening the voting, the Speaker allowed the leaders of the PNM and the UNC to address the College for a period of 15 minutes. Both took eight minutes each.

Prime Minister Patrick Manning, political leader of the PNM, said the Caribbean and the world will once again see the maturity of Trinidad and Tobago in settling our differences through the democratic process. "We consider Professor Richards to be eminently qualified to hold the highest office in the country. In 1977, he received the Chaconia Gold Medal for his achievements and service to Trinidad and Tobago," Manning added. While making the case out for Richards, Manning paid tribute to the former Presidents who served this country well.

"It is fitting we pay tribute to the outgoing President Arthur NR Robinson for his unique and evolutionary contribution to the Presidential tradition of Trinidad and Tobago.

There is no doubt that he presided over the most challenging period in the political life of this nation and we must be thankful for his vast experience which further shaped his wisdom and insight to steer us through that very testing time."

Manning said Robinson's Presidency, like the rest of his public life, marked him out as the hero and patriot of Trinidad and Tobago.

Basdeo Panday, political leader of the UNC, revealed that Ramdial acted as President on 20 occasions for a total period of 405 days. This amounted to 14 months including a period of six and a half consecutive months in 1998 when the Robinson was gravely ill.