CLAIMS OF GERRYMANDERING IN NEW THA SEATS

THE new Tobago House of Assembly (THA) electoral constituencies could favour the incumbent PNM, according to early responses to the planned legislation. 

The Government has unveiled a draft order made by the President of the Republic for the creation of three Tobago House of Assembly seats. 

This follows the submission of a report from the Elections and Boundaries Commission (EBC). 

The new constituencies are Darryl Spring/Whim; Lambeau/Lowlands; and Mt. St. George/Goodwood. 

The names of 10 existing constituencies would be changed. 

The EBC report states: “The creation of three additional electoral districts in the electoral area of Tobago was guided by the distribution of the electorate among the existing districts.” 

The EBC presented extensive justification for the design of the three new constituencies. 

But initial responses from sceptics are that, based on the results of the January 25 election, there could be marginal advantage to the PNM. 

“Gerrymandering,” one woman said. 

That pertains to the manipulation of electoral boundaries to favour one party. 

At the January election, the PNM and PDP each won six seats, leading to the first electoral tie in the 40-year history of the THA. 

Several seats were considered to be marginal, with some being in the six constituencies won by the PDP. 

Recounts took place in five constituencies, four of which were won by PDP. 

The latest EBC report states that there is an average of 3,414 voters in each of the 15 constituencies. 

With such small constituency electorates, a marginal change in boundaries could be seen as favouring a political party. 

It is expected that a THA election would be held within weeks after Parliament approves the draft order submitted by the President. 

The THA usually submits a fiscal request to the central government for allocations in the national budget. 

The budget is to be presented on October 4.