UNC begins screening candidates

THE OPPOSITION United National Congress (UNC) yesterday began screening candidates for the 126 seats to be contested in this year’s Local Government elections. The UNC’s screening committee comprising five members of the National Executive and chaired by UNC Chairman Wade Mark, began the screening exercise yesterday at Rienzi Complex. The exercise got underway just after 1 pm. Over 60 persons were expected to be screened. The exercise is expected to be completed early this week. When the party meets today for its National Executive meeting from 3 pm and its Parliamentary Arm meeting at 5 pm, both at the Rienzi Complex, the elections manifesto and other issues relating to the elections are expected to be high on the agenda for discussion.

UNC officials said it expected to finalise its candidates well in time for the elections. The date for the elections is yet to be announced by Prime Minister Patrick Manning. It is expected that the elections will be held in early July. The Act to validate the fourth report of the Elections and Boundaries Commission under the Elections and Boundaries Commission (Local Government) Act, Chap 25:05 for the purpose of Local Government elections is expected to be passed in the House of Representatives on Wednesday. The passage of that legislation will pave the way for the elections.