PNM MAKES CLEAN SWEEP IN TOBAGO ELECTIONS

The People’s National Movement (PNM) last night made a clean sweep of the Tobago elections to retain control of the Tobago House of Assembly (THA). Unofficial end results gave the PNM 12 out of 12 seats — four more seats than the party held in the last elections. The opposition Democratic Action Congress (DAC), the National Alliance for Reconstruction (NAR), and Independents all fell by the wayside in voter turnout that was low, reportedly around 55 percent.

The biggest loss in the overall poll was Hochoy “Heavy Roller” Charles of the DAC, who went under to Godwyn Adams of the PNM. Another notable loss was Cecil Caruth who quit the PNM and jumped on the bandwagon of the DAC. He lost to Hilton Sandy who won by more than 400 votes. The slimmest of margins was the Bacolet/Mount St George seat which was retained by Cynthia Alfred by a mere two votes. It is certain that the DAC’s Orville Jordan will call for a recount. The 12 seats contested, all of which were won by the PNM are: Bacolet/Mount St George, Lambeau/Signal Hill, Scarborough/Calder Hall, Bethel/Mt Irvine, Buccoo/Mount Pleasant, Canaan/Bon Accord, Belle Garden/Goodwood, Parlatuvier/L’Anse Fourmi/Speyside, Roxborough/Delaford, Black Rock/Whim/Spring Garden, Plymouth/Golden Lane, Providence/Mason Hall/Moriah.

Last night’s win was the second consecutive victory for the People’s National Movement, but it was the first for a clean sweep. On the last occasion, the PNM won eight of the 12 seats. Contrary to the national general elections of 1971 during the Democratic Labour Party’s (DLP) “No Vote” campaign when the PNM won all 36 seats, all of the 12 seats in yesterday’s THA elections were contested. The result is history today — the PNM won all 12. Orville London is expected to be sworn in on Thursday as Chief Secretary of the THA when the THA’s new term is due to open.

NAR celebrates ‘death of Hochoy’

By Marissa Williams
Tobago Bureau

Despite both its candidates suffering a good thrashing in their constituencies, there was a great jubilation in the Tobago NAR camp last night after the election results came in because “Hochoy Charles dead.” “We lost the battle, but we have achieved one goal — destroying the DAC. This is a good indication to the DAC that they should have remained dead. Only Christ died and was resurrected. That is the end of them,” Jason Nancis, the defeated candidate for Belle Garden/ Good Wood declared as the members hugged each other and “brought out the goodies.”

“Mr Charles has led another party in to his fifth consecutive defeat, except that this time he would have lost his seat and those of his supporters as well,” Party Chairman Christo Gift told Newsday. The loss of his 11 other candidates is indicative of Mr Charles’ leadership and the legacy he carries with him,” he added.

London pledges improved delivery for tobago people

In his victory speech last night Orville London pledged that his new administration would improve delivery to the people of Tobago. He expressed thanks to Prime Minister Patrick Manning for standing with him in good and bad times. Manning on the other hand said last night’s victory would see a further strenghtening of ties between Trinidad and Tobago. The victory he said had proved once and for all that the PNM was the only party to carry the nation forward. Manning, London, Housing Minister Dr Keith Rowley and other top PNM officials spent much of the night behind closed doors. Both Manning and London promised that the PNM would ensure a better quality of life for every citizen in Trinidad and Tobago.