The Opposition People’s National Movement began screening candidates yesterday for next year’s general election, constitutionally due by September. General secretary of the 58-year-old party Ashton Ford said the process was expected to take place at the party’s headquarters, Balisier House on Tranquillity Street, Port-of-Spain, from 5 pm. The screening committee will look at prospective candidates for only four constituencies—Diego Martin West, St Joseph, Pointe-a-Pierre and Mayaro.
Party leader Dr Keith Rowley is the incumbent MP for Diego Martin West and the party represents St Joseph in Parliament after Terrence Deyalsingh won the seat in the November 4, 2013, bye-election. Rowley and Deyalsingh are expected to be approved as the candidates for their respective seats. A post on Dr Rowley’s Facebook page on July 23 said, “Clarence Rambharat will be representing the People’s National Movement in the next General Elections.”
The Mayaro and Pointe-a-Pierre seats are now represented by Community Development Minister Winston Peters and Labour Minister Errol Mc Leod, who is also the acting prime minister. Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar told legislators weeks ago that the Parliament will be prorogued by June next year and the polls will be held as constitutionally due by September 2015.