Poll gives PNM edge if election is held now

NACTA’S latest tracking survey shows there is widespread disenchantment with the two main political parties but if an election is called now, the ruling PNM will win. However, the poll shows that the PNM will have a tough time against a unified multi-racial alliance. Asked which party will win if elections are called now, 73 percent of the respondents chose the PNM, while only 13 percent said the UNC will win and 14 percent gave no response. The overwhelming majority of UNC supporters are in favour of forming an alliance with other opposition groups. However, many PNM supporters feel Panday should stay on as leader of the UNC since he is the only one who can keep the party together. According to the survey, voter apathy and division within the UNC is eroding its base. However, only a small number of  rank and file supporters are switching their support from the UNC.

When asked who should succeed Panday as leader of the UNC, St Augustine MP Winston Dookeran remains the favourite among UNC supporters with 62 percent, followed by Oropouche MP Roodal Moonilal with 11 percent, Siparia MP  Kamla Persad-Bissessar with nine others, and others trailing way behind. Based on the findings of this and an earlier poll, NACTA is predicting that the PNM will pick up four seats from the UNC under the current electoral arrangement. If elections were held under the proposed expanded Parliament, the PNM will win 27 to 12 with two seats still a toss up. A majority of the respondents said they support the formation of a third party. A majority also feel a unified multi-racial opposition movement modelled after the NAR of 1986 has a strong chance to wrest power from the PNM.