Natural Resources Minister Raphael Trotman has once again been elected leader of the Alliance For Change (AFC) party after a close contest today that he won by two votes over the incumbent, Public Security Minister Khemraj Ramjattan.
In a post on his Facebook page, Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo said the vote was 127 to 125 in favour of Trotman, after votes were tallied at the party’s 5th Biennial National Conference at the Vreed-en-Hoop Primary School.
Trotman, who co-founded the party in 2005 with Ramjattan and the late Sheila Holder, had said last week that he was available to serve if nominated.
Nagamootoo, who declined nominations for the top party posts, also reported that Ramjattan was declared party Chairman, unopposed, after Public Communications Minister Cathy Hughes declined to contest for the position.
A press release from the AFC follows:
The Alliance For Change announces the results of the party’s leadership elections held today as part of the National Conference at the Vreed-en-Hoop Primary School, West Bank Demerara, Region 3.
LEADER
Raphael Trotman127 votes – declared winner
Khemraj Ramjattan125 votes
Spoilt ballots4
CHAIRPERSON
Three persons were originally slated to contest this position – Mr. Raphael Trotman, Mr. Khemraj Ramjattan and Mrs. Cathy Hughes.
Mr. Ramjattan was declared Chairman after Mr. Trotman won the elections for Leader and the third candidate Mrs. Hughes withdrew her candidacy.
VICE CHAIRPERSON
Cathy Hughes116 votes – declared winner
Valerie Garrido-Lowe76 votes
Audwin Rutherford47 votes
Spoilt ballots4
GENERAL SECRETARY
Marlon Williams125 votes – declared winner
David Patterson83 votes
Michael Carrington12 votes
Spoilt ballots2
The results of the election for members of National Executive Committee will be announced subsequently once the voting and counting process are completed.
New leader Raphael Trotman (at right) and his predecessor Khemraj Ramjattan embrace after the vote. (Photo taken from Moses Nagamootoo’s Facebook page)