Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar was expected to appoint a screening committee to begin selecting candidates for the United National Congress (UNC) 2015 election campaign this week. A party source said over 200 people have filed nominations. Screening was initially expected to begin today but a source said it was more likely to start later in the week.
“People are getting worried because we want to be able to present the candidates and start working the constituencies, particularly the marginal constituencies,” a party official said on the condition of anonymity.
UNC chairman Khadijah Ameen declined to say how many people filed nominations, saying the UNC Secretariat would have that information. However, no one was in office when the T&T Guardian called. The screening committee may likely comprise members of the national executive, headed by Persad-Bissessar.
Nominations started on May 11 and continued for six weeks. They ended on June 26. Several close associates of Persad-Bissessar have filed nominations, including her personal assistant Barry Padarath, who is vying for the safe seat of Couva North, currently held by Junior Environment Minister Ramona Ramdial. Activist Usha Rampersad, who works closely with Persad-Bissessar, and Housing Minister Dr Roodal Moonilal are hoping to contest the Naparima seat.
Minister of the People and Social Development Christine Newallo-Hosein and Minister of Sport Brent Sancho are tipped to contest the St Joseph and Toco/Sangre Grande seats, respectively. Food Production Minister Devant Maharaj has filed nomination papers for Caroni Central, while Stephen Cadiz and Ramdial have filed for Chaguanas East and Couva North, respectively.
Oropouche West MP Stacy Roopnarine has filed nomination papers to keep her seat, as has Moonilal for Oropouche East. Trade Minister Vasant Bharath has filed nomination papers in three marginal constituencies. Sources say he is likely to fight the St Joseph seat, where he is popular. That seat is currently held by PNM candidate Terrence Deyalsingh.