Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar says Jack Warner’s decision to contest the Chaguanas East constituency will not affect her party’s decision about a candidate or have an outcome on the United National Congress’ (UNC) victory. Persad-Bissessar spoke to the media during her party’s screening at the Paraiso Building in Claxton Bay yesterday.
“Not at all. Chaguanas is a seat that I see clearly the UNC can win,” she said. Warner, the political leader of the Independent Liberal Party, and the outgoing MP for Chaguanas West, announced on Tuesday his candidacy for the Chaguanas East seat, currently held by the UNC’s Stephen Cadiz.
“It is a seat that we had two sessions of screening for candidates for. I completed the second batch sometime this morning (on Wednesday).”
“I see a clear victory for us, no matter who is there.”
She said she would be meeting with the various parties in the People’s Partnership today to identify the best candidates.
“Tomorrow (today) I will meet with leaders of the partnership for final negotiations, so by Friday we shall be well in place for the COP (Congress of the People) and all partners to have identified their candidates and then Sunday at the Ato Boldon Stadium we will name all 41.” She said the UNC executive would also meet on Friday as she planned to address candidates and nominees ahead of Sunday’s announcement.
“My executive will meet on 4.30 pm on Friday and at 6.30 we have invited all the candidates and executives, activists and all nominees, as I will make the final address for candidates for the UNC on Friday. The COP will have their own timing when they do theirs.”
Speaking on the results of various polls showing the partnership out in front in the election race, Persad-Bissessar said, “A poll is a snapshot in time, the real poll is on September 7. It is interesting that we have not named all our candidates and the polling is saying we are neck and neck or up out front? Can you imagine when we announce all our candidates?” She said the People’s National Movement’s candidates had failed to excite voters.
“They have had their candidates out there for eight months and they have failed to excite the voters who are being polled, so voters are saying we are not happy with your candidates and we are not going to vote for them.” She said it was the UNC’s practice to announce candidates the day before Nomination Day, August 17.
“That is what I did in 2010. I screened for two weeks straight and then announced candidates.” She also announced the opening of the Debe Interchange on Saturday, saying it was completed and ready for use.