July 12, 1999
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July 12, 1999 |
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Poll predicts deadlock in Trinidad elections
Lindsay MacKoon, Contributor
PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad: THE LATEST public opinion poll is predicting a close finish between the two main parties in today's local government elections. In fact, the poll, conducted by Caribbean Development Syndicate, a research group led by political scientist Derek Ramsamooj, sees a deadlock, with the ruling United National Congress (UNC) and the Opposition People's National Movement (PNM) each capturing control of seven councils. At stake are 124 seats in nine regional corporations (formerly County Councils) and five municipalities. Both the UNC and the PNM are fielding full slates of candidates, while the National Alliance for Reconstruction (NAR) has put up nine. There are seven independents. The campaign has taken on the feel of a general elections campaign, with nightly meetings across Trinidad and an advertising blitz in the three morning newspapers. Some political analysts have characterised the local polls as a dress rehearsal for general elections due in December next year. Prime Minister Basdeo Panday's UNC has been in office since November 1995. According to the results of the poll, Panday has received a 56 per cent approval rating as Prime Minister, while Opposition leader Patrick Manning, who was Prime Minister from 1991 to 1995, won approval from 27 per cent of the respondents. It said that while the UNC was still the dominant political organisation in the country with Panday riding the wave of popularity, his party would not be able to translate its dominance into increased control of regional corporations in the election. Both Panday and campaign manager Sadiq Baksh, who is Works Minister, are confident the UNC will increase control of the corporations after today's elections. On the other hand, Manning says his PNM will sweep to victory not only in the local polls, but also in the coming general elections. People of Indian and African stock are the dominant races in Trinidad and Tobago's 1.3 million population. Traditionally, the PNM draws its support from the Africans, while the UNC is backed mainly by the Indians. However, Panday claims that pattern is fast changing as the UNC has made solid inroads into what was considered PNM stronghold since 1956 when the PNM first entered the political arena. After Manning called premature general elections in 1995 and lost, many supporters, including two Members of Parliament, Dr. Vincent Lasse and Dr. Rupert Griffith, have defected to the UNC. Manning has repeatedly levelled charges of corruption and inefficiency against the Panday administration. In defence, Panday said the UNC has done in three and a half years what the PNM could not have accomplished in 34 years of governance. He pointed to the attraction of foreign investment, expansion of the chemical sector, the building of bridges and roads and continuing development of the country. Panday added that the economy has continued to grow, while the unemployment rate has dropped to 14.5 per cent. More than 800,000 electors are registered to vote. According to the poll, there is a strong possibility that voter turnout may be the highest ever recorded, between 47 and 51 per cent. |
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