PNM EYES CENTRAL FOR 2022 LG POLLS

THE People’s National Movement (PNM) is fancying its chances in non-traditional areas for the 2020 Local Government election. 

In particular, the party is aiming to do better in the elections for Chaguanas Borough Corporation and Couva-Tabaquite-Talparo Regional Corporation. 

Senior party officials have begun cranking up activities in an attempt to woo voters in these two and other municipalities. 

The PNM would also like to increase its presence at Siparia and Sangre Grande Regional Corporations. 

All four districts are currently led by the opposition United National Congress (UNC). 

There have been discussions among relevant PNM and Government officials about increasing the party’s visibility and utilising Unemployment Relief Programme (URP) and CEPEP to expand the reach of the ruling regime. 

There was recently public disclosure of a private message from URP official of Couva South and beaten general election candidate Sharda Satram about using the make-work scheme for political gain. 

Satram also told of “reorganising the party by party groups to ensure that we become a full constituency consisting of 15 or more active party groups.” 

After the revelation, the UPR hurriedly distanced itself from the move. 

But insiders say the Government has been creating more make-work projects in Couva South and other historic Opposition-held communities.  

Failed party candidates are involved in the measure. 

The PNM’s strategic approach to those areas is reportedly a key reason for Prime Minister Dr. Keith Rowley’s easy availability for television interviews with a community station of Central Trinidad. 

In the absence of advertising revenues, the television station has been assured of support from party officials in return for continued assistance in transmitting the PNM’s electoral messages. 

State-owned TTT, which is funded by taxpayers, has hired Mickela Panday as a morning talk show host. 

Mickela’s father, former Prime Minister Basdeo Panday, is due to become a regular guest on the station. 

The Local Government poll is constitutionally due in December 2022. 

At the last LG election, held on December 2, 2019, the PNM won eight municipalities, to the UNC’s six. 

A total of 83 PNM councillors were elected, to 54 from the UNC.  

The UNC received more votes – 202,584 – to the PNM’s 161,962. 

The UNC got 54.59 per cent of the votes cast, which was 4.48 per cent higher than the previous election, in 2016. 

The PNM attracted 43.6 per cent of the votes, down by 4.76 per cent. 

While campaigning ahead of the 2019 LG polls, Rowley said: “We are equally eager in Couva South, Couva North, Caroni Central, Caroni East and all constituencies in central Trinidad.” 

He said that Central Trinidad has “some of the staunchest PNM supporters”  

The PNM has set up a regional office in Central Trinidad.