The post of political leader, which is held by Keith Rowley, is not being contested. Rowley was elected unopposed to that position within days of the PNM losing the last general election. The party demanded and received the resignation of former leader Patrick Manning, who accepted responsibility for the PNM's defeat.
However Manning continues to be a significant player in PNM politics. And his influence is being felt in Sunday's election.
Voting in the election is through a delegate system. Manning's San Fernando East constituency, which he has represented since 1971, has the largest block of delegate among the 41 constituencies. However he has asked his delegates not to vote on Sunday and it is not clear if he is attending the convention.
He has said he made the move because he does not want it to appear that he is attempting to influence the result of the vote since the strength of his delegates could sway the election in his favour. It's not clear if all delegates will follow Manning's advise.
Some PNM MPs and candidates for election have been critical of Manning's move. Party leader Keith Rowley has expressed deep concern about it saying it demonstrates again the need to amend the PNM constitution to allow a one-member, one-vote system.
He said earlier this week that delegates represent the people and no one should deny them an opportunity to vote.
The two other major parties in Trinidad and Tobago - the United National Congress (UNC) and the Congress of the People (COP) - elect all executive members and the political leader using such a system
About 25 PNM members are on the ballot; five candidates have been elected unopposed.
The contest for the chairmanship is between the party's Senate leader Pennelope Beckles-Robinson and former PNM minister Franklin Khan. Beckles-Robinson is a former MP for Arima who was ditched by Manning in the 2010 general election.
Khan is a former cabinet minister and a former chairman of the party. he was forced to quit over allegations of corruption. Those charges were subsequently dropped.
No comments:
Post a Comment