All is set for the general election in three weeks time as the candidates vying to be elected to represent Tobago’s for the next five years crossed the final legislative hurdle yesterday, as they were officially registered to go into battle.
The final nomination was filed around 2.30 pm.
The two Tobago seats are being keenly contested as there are 11 candidates from six different political entities. They all said they were optimistic of victory. All eleven candidates said the process ran smoothly.
The People’s National Movement (PNM) candidates Ayanna Webster-Roy and Shamfa Cudjoe were the first to file their nominations shortly after 9 am and they were accompanied by scores of cheering supporters.
Tobago Organisation of the People (TOP) candidates Joseph Frederick and Natasha Second were also accompanied by a small group of party members.
However, it was the Tobago Forwards candidates Christlyn Moore and Regis Caruth who stole the show as they arrived with the their entourage to the sounds of African drums.
The Platform of Truth (TPT) Hochoy Charles and Juliana King arrived at the Scarborough office without much fanfare. Charles, a veteran politician, said the fanfare in which some of the candidates arrived at the Returning Officers’ office was “disgusting bacchannal behaviour.”
“We have been in government in Tobago for a long time, THA, we have won those from 1980 to 2001 and we have been coming to file nomination papers, we have won both seats in Parliament, we have never seen such disgusting behaviour so many flags coming to a registration office. I come alone. I was Chief Secretary I came alone, you don’t do that on nomination day,” Charles said.
Independent candidate Watson Duke arrived shortly before 11 am with his supporters who had to be warned by police for flocking the compound. The Independent Liberal Party was the last to file at 2.30 pm with Porsher Powder and Paul Peters.