(Trinidad Express) A pandemic poll.
A total of 1,134,136 electors are eligible to vote in today’s general election at 2,210 polling stations in 41 constituencies.
How they exercise their franchise will decide who will receive the mandate to govern Trinidad and Tobago for the next five years.
This election campaign has been unique because of the existence of the Covid-19 pandemic.
In fact, voters would be strongly encouraged to wear masks at the polling stations, with the Elections and Boundaries Commission (EBC) going as far as the provision of masks to those who are not in possession of one.
The pandemic has created a new style of campaigning where the public meetings have been virtual, making it difficult to assess the mood of the electorate, whose feelings in the past used to be gauged from their attendance at meetings and their spontaneous responses to the various platforms.
Election night contrasts
In keeping with the Ministry of Health Covid regulations against mass gatherings, the People’s National Movement (PNM) has issued to its membership the following statement: “Dear members, the PNM takes this opportunity to thank each and every one of you for your commitment and tireless service over the past several weeks on the campaign trail. As you are aware, because of the Covid-19 pandemic, prevailing health regulations prevent mass gatherings across the country. In this regard, please be advised that there will be no mass congregation at Balisier House on the night of Monday 10th August. You are encouraged to host several small viewing parties at various locations throughout your constituencies. You will be notified of the social media platforms that you can follow to get our official results count. Thank you for your kind cooperation….Remember on Monday to make the right choice…”, Cynthia Joseph, Secretariat, Balisier House”.
However, the United National Congress (UNC) has made no change in its usual election night arrangements.
Wade Mark told the Express that party members and supporters are invited to assemble at Couva South Complex (The party had moved out of Rienzi Complex some time ago).
Asked if there would be a mass gathering at the complex, Mark said: “That is what I have been advised.”
Asked whether there would be any changes to the arrangements because of the pandemic, he said: “Well, I imagine what would happen is that for the actual evening we have to exercise some protocol. Even though there would be a gathering they would not be able to assemble in groups of more than ten in accordance with the regulations. So you could be in the complex but it will be in batches of ten and maintain some social distance…because you have to obey the law.”
Princes Town challenge
A significant development in this campaign was also the challenge to the eligibility of UNC Princes Town candidate Barry Padarath, whose nomination has been called into question by the PNM, which has announced that it would file an election petition in the event of him topping the polls.
Padarath and the UNC have dismissed the PNM’s contention.
Padarath was out of the country during the lockdown and returned days before Nomination Day, during which time he was in quarantine. At issue is whether his being in quarantine barred him from signing his consent form, which is required to be submitted on Nomination Day.
Marginal Constituencies
A feature of this election, as with all other recent elections, is the importance of the marginal constituencies in determining the outcome. All eyes will therefore be on Barataria/San Juan, Tunapuna, St Joseph, Moruga/Tableland, San Fernando West, Toco/Sangre Grande and, though not necessarily marginal, the keenly-contested La Horquetta/Talparo and Tobago East seats.
Another effect of the Covid pandemic is that neither the Commonwealth nor Caricom has been able to assemble observer teams to witness the election. So it is entirely up to the EBC, which has a solid record for the impartial conduct of elections.
Given what happened last election and the ruling of the court that the EBC had no discretion to extend the voting time because of inclement weather, voting hours will be between 6 a.m. and 6 p.m. today as stipulated by law.
The EBC has published the traditional prohibitions governing the conduct of elections. These include a prohibition on canvassing within the precincts of a polling station; playing of loud music and loudspeakers broadcasting political propaganda; the wearing of party emblems; impersonation (voting for a person, living or dead or fictitious); bribery, or treating of electors to food, drink or entertainment in order to influence their vote.
The sale and consumption of liquor is prohibited at any premises licensed under the Liquor Licences Act during the hours of voting.
All the prohibitions carry fines or periods of imprisonment in the event of a breach of the law.
By the end of this day, we will know which of these two contending parties will form the next government.
Now to the people.
19 parties,
150 candidates
There are 150 candidates representing 19 political parties and four independent candidates.
The PNM is the only party which presented a full slate of 41 candidates.
The UNC is contesting the 39 Trinidad seats.
The People’s Empowerment Party (PEP) has fielded 28 candidates.
The Humanity Party is fielding seven.
New National Vision 6
Movement for Social Justice 5
Congress of the People 4
Movement for National Development 3
Progressive Democratic Patriots 2
National Coalition for Transformation 2
Progressive Party 1
Independent Liberal Party 1
Democratic Party of Trinidad and Tobago 1
Nationwide Organisation of We the People 1
Unrepresented People Party 1
Trinidad and Tobago Democratic Front 1
The National Party 1
One Tobago Voice 1
The four independent candidates are contesting the Chaguanas East, Moruga/Tableland, St Joseph and Tobago West seats.
However, the main contenders are the PNM and UNC, the only two parties which have the possibility of forming a government.
With 41 seats at stake, there cannot be a tie and the prospects for a hung Parliament are deemed to be slim, as occurred in the 18-18 election of 2001.