Gail Alexander
Whoever former PNM MP Marlene McDonald voted for in yesterday's PNM internal elections, she says she did it in the interest of T&T and her party. "And I have no regrets whatsoever..."
Ex-Port-of-Spain South MP McDonald, sporting a pink mask, a cap and a shawl, was the third voter at the Mucurapo Girls' RC Primary school.
She voted ten minutes after the voting station opened at 8 am. McDonald said she had left her Maracas Valley home very early and arrived despite a fallen tree blocking the road in her area.
McDonald sat alone outside the polling office. To the east of the school were officials of the People's Champions team. Members of that team are also contesting the internal elections.
McDonald believed the inclement weather did impact yesterday's voter turnout, "But we can see the benefits of having the three days of voting. I expect it will be better (today).
"I've exercised my franchise, and I feel very comfortable with what I've done. I feel very elated that the party can engage in such a democratic process. Whatever I did here today, I've done it in the interest of T&T and the interest of my party, the PNM."
McDonald, who was recently elected to PoS South's constituency executive, also heads Party Group One in the constituency. She stressed that she was voting in the party's interest "only" and had instructed her party group members to do the same.
On whether some heated statements during the campaign might have a lasting effect on the PNM, McDonald said, "When you enter battle, it has no bitterness, it's a contest–it's no tea party–and after that, we return to loving each other. We have to understand we're all in the same party."
McDonald said she wasn't sure if she would attend next weekend's convention.
Former PoS councillors and PoS South officials also voted at that station yesterday.
McDonald was greeted with a "hug-up" from Leaders in Service (LIS) candidates Stuart Young (seeking chairmanship) and Irene Hinds (Operations Officer) who arrived at the venue.
]Young came to vote at Mucurapo Girls' RC. He knelt at McDonald's side to speak to her, whispering in her ear at one point.
Hinds, who voted earlier at Diego Martin, arrived subsequently. She took a seat next to McDonald, remaining to chat for some time.
General secretary unopposed Foster Cummings later joined Hinds and McDonald at the venue. Cummings was to vote in Couva.
Former MP Cherrie-Ann Crichlow-Cockburn said she was voting yesterday afternoon due to heavy rain in her East area. "It's a party election, so obviously I'll be voting in the party's interest only."
Former MP Ancil Antoine intended voting. San Fernando East MP Brian Manning said he was to vote in San Fernando yesterday. Several past and present constituency executive heads in South and East said they were not voting yesterday due to the bad weather, but likely would, today.