Court, Elections, General T&T, Media, PNM, Politics, UNC

UNC granted leave to file petition against EBC

Trinidad Guardian
September 19, 2015 – guardian.co.tt

PNM vs UNCThe United National Congress (UNC) has crossed the first hurdle in its challenge of the Elections and Boundaries Commission’s decision to extend last Monday’s general election voting by one hour due to rainy weather.

Lawyers representing the UNC, which lost the election to the PNM 23-18, last night received leave to pursue their petitions from High Court Judge Mira Dean-Armour after an emergency hearing in the Port-of-Spain High Court which ended after 7 pm.
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Court, Elections, General T&T, Law, Media, PNM, UNC

It could cut both ways for UNC or PNM

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By AZARD ALI
September 15, 2015 – newsday.co.tt

PNM vs UNCA British-based attorney yesterday, said the Opposition United National Congress’ (UNC) election petition could cut both ways, as the ruling People’s National Movement (PNM) could claim it also lost votes due to the extension of voting time in the election held two Mondays ago.

Attorney Anand Beharrylal, who specialises in constituional law, however supported the UNC’s petition on the basis that the courts need to lay down the law on the powers of the Elections and Boundaries Commission (EBC) relating to extending the time for voting, without consulting political parties.
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COP, Elections, General T&T, People's Partnership, PNM, Politics, Tobago, UNC

Projections, not predictions

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By Raffique Shah
September 14, 2015

Raffique ShahMy last two columns, one titled “Rowley rising” and the other “lament for a falling leader”, were seen by many of my readers as being almost prophetic in the wake of last Monday’s election results.

Had I made public another document in which I analysed the results in all 41 constituencies from 2007 onwards, using historical data and trends, and projecting the 2015 results (which I circulated only to close friends), I might have been accused of being an “obeahman” or “seer”.
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Elections, General T&T, Letters, PNM, UNC

Kamla Congratulates Rowley Six Days Later

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A LETTER TO CITIZENS OF TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO

From former PM Kamla Persad-Bissessar

Prime Minister Kamla Persad-BissessarDear Friends: Candidates, Volunteers, Supporters,

Democracy truly is a precious thing and the result of an election is an expression of the will of the people. All persons who are elected should take those responsibilities very seriously indeed and I congratulate the hundreds of thousands of you who exercised your right to vote and made this possible.
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Elections, General T&T, Media, PNM, Politics

CHANGE OF THE GUARD

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By Andre Bagoo
September 12, 2015 – newsday.co.tt

PNMPRIME Minister Dr Keith Rowley, 65, yesterday described his Cabinet as one built on youth, as he unveiled a team of ministers in which 17 out of 23 are firsttime ministers.

“I hope you will observe a changing of the guard,” Rowley said in an address after the new ministers were sworn-in at a ceremony at Queen’s Hall, St Ann’s. “There was a time when to hold high office in this country one had to be very senior in age and long in meritorious experience. You will have seen a lot of our young people cross this stage today and what that means is that we have put the affairs of State into the hands of a lot of young people in Trinidad and Tobago. Among them are a few hopefully sufficiently experienced ones who will provide them with guidance.” The PNM political leader also thanked youth for coming forward to serve in the People’s National Movement (PNM).
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Elections, General T&T, PNM, UNC

PNM, Rowley Win

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PNMAfter months of heavy political campaigning, the PNM edged victory in the September 7th general election, prevailing over the Kamla Persad-Bissessar-led regime with 23 seats to the PP’s 18 seats. Although a visibly tight race, the PNM managed to capture some key constituencies including the two in the island of Tobago to secure its victory.
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Elections, General T&T, ILP, Media, PNM, Politics, Tobago, TOP, UNC

T&T starts new era under PNM

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By Gail Alexander
September 8, 2015 – guardian.co.tt

PNMThe People’s National Movement’s fourth leader, Dr Keith Rowley, now Prime Minister-elect, will be T&T’s second Tobago-born Prime Minister following yesterday’s 2015 general election victory.

Rowley follows Tobago-born late Prime Minister Arthur NR Robinson into history in this regard.
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Elections, General T&T, Opposition Party, People's Partnership, PNM, Politics, Racism Watch, UNC

Rowley rises

8 Comments

By Raffique Shah
September 07, 2015

Raffique ShahIf I had to identify a singular, dominant development from the tiresome, months-long election campaign, it would be the emergence of Keith Rowley as an orator and a leader of distinction.

Here is a man who started off the marathon campaign with all the negatives which any prime ministerial aspirant could be burdened with, but he overcame them with aplomb.
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Elections, General T&T, People's Partnership, Politics, UNC

Lament for a falling leader

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By Raffique Shah
August 30, 2015

Raffique ShahTomorrow being Independence Day, falling exactly one week before the general election, offers Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar an opportunity to play one final campaign hand-bestowing national awards on persons she believes can help sway votes in her direction.

Of course, with serious uncertainties over her re-election and a second term as PM, she would also want to give thanks to individuals and organisations that stood faithfully with her through a rough five years during which mistakes, missteps and blunders were as routine as, say, the rising sun.
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