San Fernando West is arguably one of the constituencies which best demonstrates the role of religion in politics.
Pollster Louis Bertrand of H.S.B. and Associates has found Hindu East Indians in T&T are more likely to vote for the UNC than East Indian Muslims and Christians.
Couple that with an excerpt of political analyst Dr Kirk Meighoo's publication of "Religion and Politics in T&T."
He writes: "The Afro dominated PNM was for many years able to retain crucial support of the Presbyterians and Muslims (crucial for San Fernando West and Barataria/San Juan)."
Meighoo proposed that PNM was able to grasp East Indian support by appealing to the two religious groups.
Unofficial estimates suggest there are over 4,000 Presbyterians in the constituency and one Muslim pressure group, named Umrah T&T.
It said there were roughly 5,000 Muslim electors in the Sando West and 8,000 in Barataria/San Juan constituencies.
Constituents, however, said race had no bearing on political suasion.
Maulana Sulimami, of the Mucurapo Street Jama Masjid, has very strong political views. He agrees his religious group impacts the politics of the day.
"You see this government, Muslims come out to vote them and Muslims really made the difference and the whole populationknows Muslims will make a difference which administration is going to win the election (in 2015)" he said.
The imam, originally from Pakistan, has been a citizen of T&T for the past 26 years and has voted in each election since.
He believes politicians are well aware of the correlation between religion and politics and have used it in their quest for power.
"They come and they want to take pictures with us, they look for me, they look for leaders, they look for the imams, the maulanans and when election is gone they are gone too."
He said Islamists, just like other religious groups, fall prey to empty promises.
"Election is coming up and government will give this and give that but where were we before? Tell me! Where were we before?" he asked.
He said as a responsible leader, he had made his congregation aware of those tacticians, telling them the power lies in the hands of the people.
"I am looking at what is going on. How the Muslims are suffering and how we will vote is no secret... time will tell," he added.
He called on leaders to follow the basics of each and every religion.
"Speak the truth at all times, keep your promises and serve the people not your friends and family, not even the whole nation, serve the whole world," he said.
Islamists are known as part of a closed community which remains loyal in their united front but Sulimami said that did not mean Muslims would vote only for a fellow Muslim.
Of the nine elected MP's in San Fernando West, four are Presbyterian, two Muslim and it's generally a PNM held seat.
Rev speaks
Presbyterian Reverend Daniel Teelucksingh argues there's no connection between Presbyterians and their political preference.
He said: "One cannot say Presbyterians in San Fernando West are PNMites. You cannot say that. They are middle class and are free to choose."
San Fernando West has given the nod to the PNM on all but a few occasions: 1986, 2000 and 2010.
When asked if having a Presbyterian candidate would ensure a party's victory in San Fernando West Teelucksingh said:"Religion does not determine the winner. It could be a good Hindu, a good Muslim, Baptist... They will vote for the best candidate."
Teelucksingh says the marginality of the constituency lies in the electors who he describes as more mature and discretionary.
"San Fernando West is more discriminatory than that. They're more intelligent and are looking for a strong person to represent them," he added.
He said most of the congregation was of East Indian descent.
"It's a mixed congregation but it is predominantly made up of Indo Trinidadians today,but history is to be blamed for that," he added.
Teelucksingh, who has served at the Sumsamachar Presbyterian Church, Coffee Street, maintains political affiliation is not based on faith or ethnicity.
When interviewed several electors claimed they had in the past been directed to elect a Christian government by their respective churches.
Others noted that when the Concordat had been a national issue, heads of some denominational schools instructed parents not to bestow their political support to the administration spearheading the agreement.
But Teelucksingh said that was not so. He argued: "Politics is not based on religion, it is not race based. It is class based."
And he said government handouts would hardly work in a constituency like San Fernando West.
"The middle class people are socially independent from an economic perspective they are independent and I do not see any need to tow any party line," he said.
In the current political climate we have seen many religious leaders weighing in on the political divide.
When asked whether religion has a role in politics he said: "The Christian church... whether by a thin line or a wall, the Christian church has never separated itself from political affairs."
Teelucksingh believes there is god reason for that "when there is an oppressive government the church has spoken and must always get involved, in that sense, in politics."
Not a UNC seat
Evans Harry, 72, a devout Hindu and chairman of the Todd's Road Hindu Temple said religion has no bearing on his political choices.
"Since 1980 I have not shifted my vote. I have voted for the principles of the manifestos of the ONR, NAR, COP."
He's your regular middle class constituent, a teacher for most his life. he said he has seen many MPs come and go.
One thing is for sure, in his point of view at least: "San Fernando West is not a UNC seat. It's entirely different. It will go with the partnership, yes, but not a UNC candidate. I cannot see UNC winning anything here," he said in an interview.
According to Harry's calculations, he is part of a block of 4,000 voters who gave the ONR support and later the NAR the nod over the dominant PNM, a group, he says, which lies in the dead centre... bearing allegiance to nothing but ethics and principle.
"When a government displeases the people there is a percentage shift to that 4,000 which gives the opposition victory... this is the pattern of voting in San Fernando West," he said.
Not a tribal thing
As far as religion goes, there are the voters who follow none but continue to swing their support, like fisherman Dindial. He said: "I vote for anyone of the party that try to help the people."
He was born and bred in San Fernando and for years has been faithful in his political support. "I am PNM and I am grateful to the PNM."
Being of East Indian descent didn't have any relevance on how and whom he would support.
"It's not about the tribal thing in San Fernando. It's the love we have in San Fernando. It's not about race or the tribal thing, it's the love that make it unique," he added.
San Fernando West voting
1956 PNM Dr Winston Mahabir
1961 PNM Saied Mohammed
1966 PNM Errol Edward Mahabir
1976 PNM Errol Edward Mahabir
1986 NAR Anslem St George
1991 PNM Ralph Maharaj
1995 PNM Barendra Sinanan
2000 UNC Sadiq Baksh
2001 UNC Sadiq Baksh
2002 PNM Dianne Seukeran
2007 PNM Junia Regrello
2010 COP Carolyn Seepersad-Bachan
