Less than 24-hours after the United National Congress (UNC) closed their nomination of candidates for the 2020 general election, the People’s National Movement (PNM) has launched its campaign with a call for nominations in 25 seats.
This continues through to March 30.
Meanwhile, the party will hold a series of public meetings in certain constituencies.
Four meetings have been scheduled for this month beginning on March 14 in Barataria/San Juan; March 18 in Toco/Sangre Grande; March 25 in San Fernando West; and March 31 in St Joseph.
The directives have come straight from Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley. This was announced at Saturday’s general council meeting at Balisier House. Chairman Colm Imbert said the party was already working hard to achieve another victory at the polls.
He said "in due course, the political leader will call for nominations in the remaining 16 seats."
Asked why nominations were being done in this way, Imbert said "This is entirely the political leader’s prerogative."
Pointing out the mixture of seats included both incumbents and also areas where the party is not currently represented, Imbert added, "That is a strategy being deployed by the Political Leader, I cannot say."
Asked if any of the incumbents had indicated their unwillingness to serve again, Imbert urged the media to approach each person for their answer.
Questioned about the revelations in the Parliament during Friday’s sitting, Imbert commended his Cabinet colleague Fitzgerald Hinds for what he claimed had been one of Hind’s best presentations yet.
He reaffirmed statements made by Hinds as he said the PNM had congratulated him "for his powerful presentation."
Asked if the PNM had any concerns relating to inferences that some of their members had been involved with criminal elements, Imbert said no.
Also on the PNM’s social calendar is their annual family day which will be held on May 17 in San Fernando; and the annual Spiritual Baptist celebration on March 21 at Phase Five, La Horquetta.
The list of seats where nominations have been opened includes:
1. Arouca/Maloney
2. Barataria/San Juan
3. Caroni Central
4. Caroni East
5. Chaguanas East
6. Chaguanas West
7. Couva North
8. Couva South
9. Cumuto/Manzanilla
10. Diego Martin North East
11. Diego Martin West
12. Fyzabad
13. Laventille East/Morvant
14. Laventille West
15. Naparima
16. Port-of-Spain North/St Ann’s West
17. Moruga/Tableland
18. San Fernando East
19. San Fernando West
20. Siparia
21. St Augustine
22. St Joseph
23. Tabaquite
24. Tunapuna
25. Point Fortin
Meanwhile, the UNC plans to screen candidates for the upcoming general elections in seven days time. Anita Haynes, the UNC Public Relations Officer, said more than 400 nomination forms were submitted to the party’s head offices on Friday when nominations closed at 4 pm.