UNC gets 10,000 new members in time for party election

The internal election of the United National Congress (UNC) has attracted about 10,000 new members to the party.

That's the word from chairman of the membership committee, Kelvin Ramnath. He told local media new applications for membership came from people across the country.

Ramnath said the committee is still finalizing the updated membership list which will be ready for circulation by January 2, 2010. There is a four-day period after that for anyone to lodge complaints about the list, which will be posted at constituency offices and at the party's headquarters in Couva.

Nomination day for the January 24, 2010 election is January 11. So far only four people have said they will contest the election. UNC leader Basdeo Panday is seeking re-election and two MPs are challenging him - Ramesh L. Maharaj and Kamla Persad-Bissessar.

Chaguanas West MP Jack Warner is running for the post of chairman. There is speculation that former Chaguanas mayor Suruj Rambachan will run against Warner. Warner orchestrated Rambachan's removal from office and some people see that as an attempt to settle political scores.

Ramnath said the UNC is using guidelines established by the Elections and Boundaries Commission to prepare the list, which will show members according to constituency.

Ramnath said the party did not turn away anyone who wanted to apply for membership, including those who were late with applications.

With about 45,000 financial members, the party now has "more financial members than any other political party," Ramnath said.

The membership committee will meet on January 7 to deal with questions and queries and will publish a final list on January 11.