COP: PNM and UNC rejected

In a statement, the COP said, “Despite the spending of millions of dollars by both the PNM and the UNC in this campaign with non-stop media advertisements, broadcasts and major meetings and rallies, these parties have not been able to motivate even their own supporters to come out and cast their votes in the kinds of numbers that they would have expected.” The COP said this is a clear signal that the gatekeeper politics of these parties and their versions of “good governance” are not satisfying the people’s demand for real choice in elections, for real participation in decision-making that affects their lives and for genuine accountability from elected officials at all levels.

The party claimed the low voter turnout caused Prime Minister and PNM political leader Dr Keith Rowley, during a news conference at Balisier House on Monday night, to ask a reporter, “You in politics? Which party you leading?” Similarly, the COP questioned Opposition Leader and UNC political leader Kamla Persad-Bissessar’s logic for claiming victory because of a “gain of half a corporation.” The party added, “This is unprecedented that a party leader would be boasting about winning a fraction of a corporation.” The COP said the results “convince us in the COP that the electorate has not lost hope in looking for a real alternative to the two ‘major’ parties whose turns in government have not lived up to their expectations.”