All nominees for a prospective candidate for Diego Martin Central, including the incumbent MP Dr Amery Browne, were rejected by the screening committee on Wednesday, party general secretary Ashton Ford said after Wednesday’s six-hour session at Balisier House, Port-of-Spain.
When contacted for comment yesterday Browne said he would make a statement on the issue today.
There were three new nominees for that constituency—Roger Watts, a panman; Shari Reynald, a human resource professional and Christian Chandler, an attorney.
“None were accepted, which means the door is closed at the moment and Diego Martin Central will have to come with new nominees,” Ford said.
He added the new nominees must be submitted by next week Friday.
Ford spoke with reporters on the screening shortly after 10 pm Wednesday.
Even before one reporter could have completed his question on the status of Browne after the screening, Ford said: “All nominees were considered—past and the current (one) tonight and none were accepted. So the door is closed.”
The screening committee also failed to approve any candidate for the Chaguanas East constituency after the chosen candidate, Opposition Senator Diane Baldeo-Chadeesingh, withdrew.
Ford said the constituency was asked to recommend for a second screening one of the other six candidates who were screened with Baldeo-Chadeesingh.
However, Ford said the constituency failed to do so.
He added: “The constituency did not recommend anyone.”
Ford said it had “to continue the search” for a new candidate. Like the Diego Martin Central constituency, Chaguanas East has until April 24 to find new nominees.
The other constituency screened Wednesday night was Barataria/San Juan.
Ford said the constituency executive recommended Hashim Al-Mujaahid but party sources said the committee needed a few more days to do background checks and hold further discussions before deciding on his nomination.
Unlike previous occasions there was only a few supporters outside Balisier House for Wednesday’s screening, which was chaired by party leader Dr Keith Rowley.
He declined comment on the exercise. The PNM has completed screening for 38 constituencies. This year’s general election is constitutionally due no later than September.
The PP Government has said its candidates will be screened after the election date was announced by the Prime Minister and it will take two weeks to complete.