Political analyst Dr. Bishnu Ragoonath has expressed profound concern regarding growing youth disengagement from electoral processes, citing concerning patterns observed during the January 12 Tobago House of Assembly (THA) elections. The sweeping victory of the Tobago People’s Party (TPP), which captured all 15 contested seats, has been overshadowed by troubling participation trends among younger demographics.
While overall voter turnout reached approximately 50 percent—comparable to the 51 percent recorded in January 2021 and subsequent 57 percent in December 2021—Dr. Ragoonath identified a disturbing deficiency in youth engagement. “I am deeply concerned about the apparent apathy and lethargy among young voters throughout both Trinidad and Tobago,” he stated during a January 13 interview.
The political scientist highlighted that Trinidad’s recent general election saw only 54 percent voter participation, indicating a broader pattern of electoral disengagement. “These numbers reveal significant societal developments where citizens increasingly lack enthusiasm for exercising their democratic rights,” Ragoonath analyzed.
Addressing the Tobago electoral process specifically, the political researcher noted the paradoxical observation of morning queues at polling stations that failed to translate into sustained participation throughout the day. “Initial reports indicated substantial lines forming early in the morning, with active voting before 10 am. However, historical patterns suggest that early-morning voters typically belong to older demographics rather than youth populations.”
Dr. Ragoonath concluded that this participation disparity between generations signals urgent need for intervention: “These patterns demonstrate we must implement strategies to energize our youth, making them genuinely excited to participate in the democratic process through voting.”