UNC voting in internal election; 65 candidates in running for 17 posts

The membership of the United National Congress (UNC) is voting Saturday in the party's internal election to elect 17 members to the UNC's national executive (NATEX).

Three slates are contesting the election with the one led by Deputy Leader Roodal Moonilal poised to win the majority of seats.

Moonilal and his cabinet colleague, Suruj Rambachan are seeking re-election as deputy leaders. The third candidate for Deputy Leader on the Nationalists slate is the mayor of San Fernando, Marlene Courdray.

Most of the other candidates are members who served on the previous executive. Two notable newcomers are minister Chandresh Sharma and Glenn Ramadharsingh.

One slate is led by UNC activist, Sunil Ramjitsingh, who is asking the UNC to elect him as one of the three deputy leaders.

And the third team is being advised by former UNC leader, Basdeo Panday and his daughter, former Oropouche West MP Mickela Panday.

Some members are running as independents, notably Jack Warner, who is seeking re-election as chairman. None of the three slates has a candidate for chairman.

Warner has endorsed three independent candidates - Fuad Khan and Herbert Volney for deputy leaders, and Lyndira Oudit for vice chairman. Warner's principal opponent, Ashwani Mahabir, is also running as an independent.

Here is the unofficial list of nominations (** denotes an incumbent):Deputy Political Leader. The party will elect three deputy leaders:

1. Roodal Moonilal**
2. Surujrattan Rambachan**
3. Marlene Coudray
4. Fuad Khan
5. Herbert Volney
6. Sunil Ramjitsingh
7. Shavitta Lochan
8. Afifah Mohammed
9. James Mohammed
10. Elizabeth Mohammed-Ali
11. Natasha Navas
12. Dougnath Rajkoomar

Chairman

1. Jack Warner**
2. Mooniram Heru
3. Ashvani Mahabir

Deputy Chairman

1. Tim Gopeesingh
2. Lyndira Oudit
3. Khadijah Ameen
4. Denise Carew
5. Kavita Ramdeo-Dabiedeen

Policy and Strategy Officer

1. Collin Partap**
2. Amarnath Jaggasar
3. Ramish Ramanand
4. Ravi Ramdenny

Education Officer

1. Daphne Phillips**
2. Errol Benjamin
3. Glenda Boodram
4. Nalini Roopnarine
5. Bob Soogrim

Research Officer

1. Arnold Ram**
2. Nigel Mahabir
3. Krishna Maharaj

Election Officer

1. Ramona Ramdial**
2. Reynold Chinchamee
3. Romeo Suresh Dassrath
4. Raul Henry

Treasurer

1. William Archie**
2. Neela Sooklal

Party Organiser

1. Chandresh Sharma
2. Sookram Ali
3. Indar Kamal
4. Ramesh Karapan
5. Hayman Moonian

International Relations Officer

1. Shane Mohammed**
2. Nadia Gebodh
3. Venetta Rampersad

Regional Representative Tobago

1. Barrington "Skippy" Thomas**
2. Sean Dalipsingh
3. Manohar Singh

Regional Representative Northeast

1. Yvette Richards**
2. Stephan Bhagan
3. Peter Madeira
4. Vernon Nandee

Regional Representative Northwest

1. Don Sylvester**
2. Patricia Henry
3. Geewan Ramdeen
4. Gary Simmons
5. Gail Worrell

Regional Representative Central

1. Glenn Ramadharsingh
2. Rajendra Gosine
3. Catherine Joefield
4. Krishendath Sooknanan

Regional Representative South

1. Shanty Boodram**
2. Kenneth Paulsingh
3. Andrew Ramsaroop