UNC to set timetable for screening candidates
Deputy political leader of the United National Congress Dr Roodal Moonilal said yesterday that the party is expected to meet in a few days time to set the timetable for screening of candidates for the by-election in the Chaguanas West constituency.
The Housing Minister spoke with reporters following a press conference at the land Settlement Agency (LSA) at Orange Grove Estate, Tacarigua, involving the pre-draw of potential recipients for plots of land in the Ministry’s Land for the Landless programme.
While he could not say when the by-election would be held, Moonilal said Prime Minister, Kamla Persad-Bissessar will announce the date in due course.
“I think we are clear on the outside perimeter of the elections, now that the seat has been declared vacant…it will be within the law,” he assured.
As to the issue of nomination, Moonilal said, “I know that persons have already collected their nomination forms and in some instances have already deposited their forms.”
Former party chairman and minister of national security Jack Warner was the MP for Chaguanas West until a few weeks ago when he resigned from the United National Congress(UNC) and his portfolio as well as from his electoral seat.
Last Friday (May 10), Speaker of the House of Representatives Wade Mark officially declared the seat vacant and according to electoral rules the by-election has to be called within 90 days.
On Wednesday, Warner during a walkabout at Munroe Road said he had already collected his nomination papers.
“The party will meet in the next couple of days, at which time we will set a time table for screening and the close of nominations,” he said.
Moonilal also pointed out that at this time, the party was preparing for a “major mass activity next Friday for our Third Anniversary at Mid Centre Mall Car Park where we will be holding our accounting to the people rally.”