PNM to nominate presidential candidate; needs 12 MPs to endorse nominee

The opposition People's National Movement (PNM) plans to nominate a candidate for next month's presidential election in Trinidad & Tobago but has not yet decided who the nominee will be.

The Parliament of Trinidad & Tobago will elect a new Head of State on February 15, 2013, three days after Carnival. Closing date for nominations for the post of President is February 5, 2013.

The president is chosen by an electoral college comprising all members of the House of Representatives and the Senate with the Speaker of the Lower House presiding. 

Anyone who wishes to stand for election as president must be a T&T citizen over 35 who has lived in the country for a minimum of 10 years immediately preceding his/her nomination. A person is deemed to have lived in the country if she/he holds an office in the service of the state and lives abroad for that purpose.

The nomination form must be signed by 12 or more members of the House of Representatives. The PNM has only 12 MPs, which means that it can nominate a candidate only if all 12 MPs sign the relevant documents or if it gets support from non-PNM PMs.

One of the 12 is Patrick Manning, who is on medical leave from Parliament.