(Trinidad Guardian) Kamla Persad-Bissessar’s Star Team has soundly beaten the Rushton Paray-led United Patriots in the United National Congress (UNC) internal elections.
Persad-Bissessar declared victory at her Siparia constituency office shortly before midnight.
“Landslide victory for all 17 stars,” Persad-Bissessar said.
But Guardian Media understands that at the time of her victory speech, the official election count was still ongoing and ballot boxes were still arriving at the UNC headquarters from various polling venues.
However, results obtained by Guardian Media from the ‘Statement of the Polls’ for several constituencies showed an overwhelming victory for members of the Star slate versus their Patriots counterparts.
Persad-Bissessar acknowledged that the count was still ongoing but said, “The trend is very clear.”
But even amidst the brief celebrations last evening, Persad-Bissessar who has publicly endorsed the candidates of the Star Team said this was the worst internal elections she has experienced as a political leader.
“We faced a bruising and battering campaign, but it was a campaign that was rooted in dishonesty. You remember the others came out and told you that we were not going to hold these elections so from day one the other team started with dishonesty,” she said.
The political leader added, “I have gone through so many campaigns, as leader myself six internal elections I have caused to be held in the party and this has been the worst.”
Persad-Bissessar concluded by reminding her supporters that there are two by-elections coming soon and a general election on the horizon.
Rushton Paray will hold a media conference at 11:30 AM.