Leader's post won't be contested in PNM internal election

The People's National Movement (PNM) will conduct its internal elections later this year, but Keith Rowley would be unchallenged as leader.

That's the word from Vice-chairman John Donaldson, who spoke with reporters Saturday following a meeting of the party's General Council at the PNM's Balisier House headquarters.

Donaldson added that all party groups will be ready for the vote, which will take place at the end of the year.

Rowley was acclaimed leader following the ousting of Patrick Manning, who was forced to resign after the party's defeat in the May 24 general election.

At the same time Conrad Enill, Martin Joseph and Jerry Narace resigned from the PNM's executive. Enill was Chairman. Joseph held the post of General Secretary and Narace was the PNM's Public Relations Officer.

Their resignations became effective after Rowley formally took over the leadership of the party.

The PNM's election is based on a delegate system unlike the United National Congress (UNC), which hold a "public" one-member-one-vote election.

The UNC's internal election in January, which saw Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar defeating former PM Basdeo Panday, was similar to a national election campaign.