People’s National Movement (PNM) leader Dr Keith Rowley says former prime minister Patrick Manning may have deliberately misguided his constituents regarding the nominations for the San Fernando East seat. Rowley, speaking with the media at the PNM’s hamper giveaway at Balisier House yesterday, confirmed that Manning may not be eligible to contest the seat in next year’s election. The deadline for nominations is tomorrow.
“The constituents have put themselves in a position where they are not able to meet the seven-day notice that is required by the party constitution. That is a deliberate act that the party takes note of and we will rectify it and the process will continue,” Rowley said. “The constituency unfortunately was guided to a point where they did not make the party groups get involved in the process as required by the party’s constitution,” Rowley said.
Rowley and Manning were in a small tussle regarding the deadline for nominations for the screening for his seat. The PNM had acquiesced to Manning’s request for deadline extensions twice, with the final deadline for nominations ending tomorrow. Manning, in a message on social media, stated that he had medical tests that would run until early next year and he would not be available for screening until January 3.
The PNM has since been adamant that December 22 is the final date for submissions. Rowley said by Monday afternoon, the party would know who was nominated for the San Fernando East seat. “We will take it from there, we won’t jump ahead of ourselves. It is a process and the process will win out in the end,” he said.