Over 400 members of the United National Congress (UNC) have filed nominations for a chance to represent that party in the Local Government Elections, constitutionally due this year.
The party, in a statement, said at the close of nominations at 4 pm on Sunday, more than 400 people had filed. Party leader Kamla Persad-Bissessar had announced the opening of nominations in April, in preparation for the Local Government elections.
At last Thursday’s post-Cabinet news conference, Local Government and Rural Development Minister Franklin Khan assured that the elections will not be postponed. He gave a commitment that it will be held before January 21, 2017.
Khan said the due date for the local government elections is October 21, 2016. He pointed out that government has up to 90 days thereafter to go to the polls. His ministry is in the process of preparing a policy paper to present to the Cabinet, following consultation on Local Government reform.
Party executive, Davendranath Tancoo, said it is very pleased with this heightened interest in the party and thanked the 400 prospective candidates who have expressed an interest in serving their country at the Local Government level.
Tancoo said the UNC will immediately begin its rigorous in-house evaluation procedures with a view to commencing the screening of candidates shortly.