The People’s National Movement is expected to complete screening of candidates for the local government elections by the first week of September, chairman Franklin Khan said yesterday.
Khan, who spoke to the media following the party’s general council meeting at Balisier House, Port-of-Spain, yesterday, said while the election date is yet to be announced by the Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley, plans are well in train for the polls with the nomination of officers scheduled to take place from September 5 to 22, and the preliminary voters’ list will be available by September 16. The final voters’ list will be made available on September 26.
Khan said the party will launch its local government campaign at its 46th annual convention carded for October 30. Another highlight of the convention will be the PNM’s internal elections, the second to be held under the one-man-one-vote system. Whereas the posts of political leader, chairman, vice chairman and general secretary will not be up for grabs this year, all other party positions will be contested.
At yesterday’s meeting, Prime Minister Rowley told general council members of several party activities scheduled for the rest of the year. Republic Day on September will be a national day of prayer for T&T with a major event at the Queen’s Park Savannah.
He announced the names of candidates selected after screening exercises on August 17 for the Borough of Arima and the Diego Martin Regional Corporation, on August 18 for the San Fernando City Corporation and on August 19 for San Juan Laventille Regional Corporation.
Screening for the Sangre Grande Regional Corporation and Tunapuna/Piarco Regional Corporation will take place at Balisier House tomorrow, on Thursday for the Port-of-Spain City Corporation and Friday for Couva, Tabaquite, Talparo, Penal/Debe and Siparia.
Screenings for Princes Town, Mayaro/Rio Claro, Chaguanas and Pt Fortin will take place in the last week of August or the first week in September.