Moonilal — no house padding

Addressing activists and supporters during a mobilisation meeting at the Pavarti Girls High School, Debe, Moonilal, said the upcoming campaign would prove to be “very difficult” since a significant number of voters from the traditional PNM stronghold have been transferred to his constituency.

“We have to be very vigilant about the persons who will be brought into the constituency and registered to vote for the elections. In fact we must be ready to slam the door on the slightest hint of house padding by the PNM,” he said.

He said at least one polling station from the San Fernando East constituency was now firmly placed in the newly realigned Oropouche East constituency.

Moonilal said the Opposition party would “slam the door” on attempts at house padding by the ruling PNM Administartion. The San Fernando East constituency is presently held by Prime Minister, Patrick Manning, and regarded as a PNM stronghold, though recent realignment of its boundaries by the Elections and Boundaries Commission, (EBC), has resulted in the loss of five party groups to the Oropouche East constituency.

Moonilal also stated that construction of three housing projects at Golconda, Pleasantville and Wellington Road, Debe, by the Housing Development Corporation, (HDC), may also witness an influx of PNM supporters from other areas.

Moonilal, who won the 2002 General Elections by a wide margin, said polling stations from Siparia and Naparima have also been transferred to the constituency.

Also addressing the meeting was UNC chairman, Basdeo Panday, and deputy political leader, Dr Tim Goopeesingh, as the party continued its series of the “meet the constitiuency” tour in the run-up to Local Government elections, which are constitutionally due later this year while General Elections are due in 2007.