Members of the People’s National Movement (PNM) in Tobago will come out today to vote for two candidates to fill the posts of political leader of the party’s Tobago council and chairman.
After weeks of campaigning, ending with rallies across the island late last night, over 8,000 party members are expected to begin voting at 13 polling stations from 6 am to 4 pm today.
The results for the election should be announced by 7 pm this evening.
Over the past weeks, the 12 candidates have been making promises to voters on the future of the internal affairs of the party in Tobago.
The seven candidates vying for political leader have also already begun campaigning for the Tobago House of Assembly (THA) elections which will be held in January.
For the first time, the internal elections of the Tobago Council will be conducted in the one man, one vote system.
Chairman of the Elections Supervisory Committee, Alvin Pascall in an interview yesterday said all was prepared for the election.
“The microphones are in the air, the ads are in the media. We are winding down. Polling station workers took away paraphernalia for polling stations and we are all prepared so that if voting goes well, we can expect to have results within three hours of the start of the count.
The count starts at 6 pm.
Pascall described the campaigning by candidates as normal.
“They were in the trenches doing what they had to do, but it is a bit different because of the new voting structure. It’s hard to tell who will win. We are hardly getting any feedback from the ground.”
The new political leader is set to replace Orville London as Chief Secretary of the THA.
London has held the position since 2001.
London assured that the playing field has been levelled for all the candidates contesting the election and said the results must be accepted by people on all levels. He said there would be ten losers and expressed hoped that they would remain loyal to the political party
“I am hoping that the losers will remain loyal to the organisation, and that the losers will understand that in the final analysis it was a fair fight, that is why this particular gentleman Mr Alvin Pascall attorney at law, highly respected, was placed in charge of the elections supervisory committee” London said.
In interviews last week, the candidates all expressed their commitment to a better Tobago and a better party, with some citing healthcare as the most important issue for Tobagonian voters, while others stressed on integrity in leadership.
Tsoi-a-Fatt
In an interview on Friday, political leader candidate Denise Tsoi-a-Fatt-Angus described the campaign as an extraordinary journey.
“It has helped me to develop new relationships while discovering the legacy of service left by my grandfather and parents across Tobago.
“It has confirmed to me my commitment toward selfless service, to remaining approachable, committed and delivering with integrity to contribute to a stronger PNM and a better Tobago,” said Tsoi-a-Fatt-Angus.
She said her objective has always been to preserve the integrity of the party.
“I have run a clean campaign that in no way can be perceived to undermine the strength of the PNM. My plans therefore would be to bring my colleagues together after the elections to energise the new recruits and get them engaged in the party while mobilising existing members and mobilising the THA elections.”
She said she hoped that if elected, she could improve the internal democracy of Tobago PNM, ensuring transparency of elections will be preserved, promoting a political identity, ensuring a robust education system is in place for new members and reminders to the old.
Tsoi-a-Fatt-Angus, who served on the board of the Tobago Regional Health Authority twice and is a medical doctor, said she was committed to sustainable diversification and food security.
Cynthia Alfred
One of the other candidates, Cynthia Alfred, who served twice as deputy chief secretary at the Tobago House of Assembly said she felt her experience and knowledge made her the most suitable candidate.
“I have had a lot of experience and knowledge, both party-wise and managerial-wise, so with all those put together, I believe I am the most suitable person. Alfred, a former teacher, public servant and senator was also the representative for Bacolet/ Mt St George for two terms.
“I have not been involved in bobol, my record and reputation is as clean as can be and that is important.
“People must select someone they know is unbribable. I have the knowledge and experience to run Tobago. People must look for someone who they are convinced can be a true leader regardless of the situation.”
Beckles
Handel Beckles, in an interview yesterday, said he had spent the day resting and was confident that God had the election in hand and that people would vote for the leader they were most comfortable with.
“If you are looking for a leader to represent all the people on this island, I am best suited.
Charles
Kelvin Charles, last week described himself as a credible option.
“I am community oriented, I am trustworthy, not easily corruptible. I have stature. I can bring a degree of boldness to the leadership and that is combined with passionate leadership. I feel I posess an integrated tapestry of relevant skills, competencies, attitudes and behaviour to operate efficiently as political leader and later Chief Secretary.”
Davidson-Celestine
Tracy Davidson-Celestine, the current deputy chief secretary said she hoped today’s results would reflect the feedback she had gotten from PNM members.
“I hope that feedback translates into votes. People have been supporting me and I know I will be the best candidate for Tobago.”
Neither Trevor Craig or Rennie Dumas were available for interviews yesterday.
The party members will also choose between five people for the post of chairman today.
The five are, Stanford Callender, Dr Carlton Guy, Kurt Salandy, Keron Eastman and Wendell Berkeley.
The current leader, Dr Orville London, will not be contesting the position and has not endorsed a candidate.