Local Government Elections activities by political parties begin tonight and voter registration also moves into high gear. November 26 is the final deadline for voter registration for upcoming Local Government Elections according to the Elections and Boundaries Commission (EBC) on Friday.
This follows last Thursday’s announcement of the November 28 Local Government Elections date. The term of municipal corporations ended on Friday. The EBC’s chief elections officer, Ramesh Nanan, said the preliminary voters’ list stood at 1,060481 at October 13.
A revised list will be done after registration continues over the next week and a supplemental list will be added to the current 1,060481 listing after the final November 26 deadline.
Nanan reported no preparation problems or overcrowding by potential voters yet. He said the EBC did the Local Government Elections draft order since June 2014 following the last 2013 Local Government poll and was oiling machinery since.
The draft order increased Local Government seats from 134 in 2013 to 137 currently and also stipulated changes in three regional areas—Tunapuna -Piarco, Arima and Penal/Debe.
The 14 regional corporations involved from a minimum of six seats (Point Fortin, Mayaro/ Rio Claro) to a maximum of 16 currently (Tunapuna Piarco). Main changes in the EBC order are in the Tunapuna/Piarco region with the addition of a new seat of Carapo.
The addition caused “slight changes” (Nanan said) in nine surrounding electoral areas in Tunapuna/Piarco, and also changes in names of three electoral districts in there.
In the Arima municipal corporation, there are changes in boundaries of four electoral areas. There are also boundary changes in four areas in Penal/Debe. Political parties begin “ramping up” Local Government activities from tonight.
The ruling PNM will be seeking to increase the eight corporations it controls and the Opposition UNC, to add the six corporations it controls.
Yesterday, UNC officials and MPs in all areas met with teams to fine-tune campaign arrangements.
The PNM and UNC each have full slates of 137 candidates The UNC, which launched campaigning in September, starts intensifying with tonight’s Monday Night Forum at Diego Martin North Secondary School, St Lucien Road.
The PNM has some election activity at Thursday’s PNM Divali celebrations in Mausica. Local Government themes will also be in force at next Sunday’s PNM annual convention at Queen’s Park Savannah.
Candidates and manifesto may be previewed. Election of PNM executive officers will be done. Several incumbents are contesting. The Congress of the People is contesting the Local Government polls in nine areas in south and central.
The ILP has called for nominations up to October 28 with emphasis on the Chaguanas Borough and from people living in other areas who wish to contest.