A wake up call to politicians

The UNC retained the six corporations it won three years ago. Both parties tied 4-4 in the Sangre Grande Regional Corporation, which the PNM won outright in 2013.

At a news conference at Balisier House also on Tuesday, PNM chairman Franklin Khan declared that the Sangre Grande Regional Corporation would be controlled by the ruling party on the basis of the Proportional Representation system and the PNM having won the popular vote in Sangre Grande. On Monday night, Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley and Opposition Leader Kamla Persad-Bissessar each declared that the results reflected victories for their respective political parties.

In a statement, AOI leader Nicole Dyer- Griffith said the party chose not to contest the elections, “as we continue to maintain our stance that the whole is greater than the sum of its parts.” She said the results of the election, “have cemented this belief.” Dyer-Griffith stated, “The fact that we have recorded a voter turnout of in and around 22 percent speaks volumes, however, the question remains, what must be the next step?”

Saying this percentage of the electorate voted for “None Of The Above (NOTA),” Dyer- Griffith said, “This significant vacuum, provides an opportunity to the marginal political entities, formed and yet to be formed, to fill the political gap.” The former Congress of the People (COP) chairman continued, “ The question remains, are we all ready to lay our collective egos to the side in the interest of country first?”

With approximately 75 percent of the population deciding not to vote for the PNM or the UNC on Monday, Dyer-Griffith said these persons also, “ saw nothing viable of a third option.” According to Dyer-Griffith, “ That third option must comprise something in the minds of the public as being not just a spoiler party to split votes or a party to be conveniently used to get another main party in power.” She explained that this, “can only become a reality if these parties who represent that third constituency coalesce around common goals which would resonate to the now 75 to 78 percent of NOTA voters.” Dyer-Griffith added, “ This is how the whole becomes greater than the sum of its parts, by appealing to the now silent majority.”

She congratulated all political parties which participated in Monday’s elections, “particularly both the main political entities and their leaders who, despite the tremendous odds, continue to maintain their respective political bases whilst ensuring a continued sound democratic process.”