分类： politics

The political landscape in Tobago is poised for a significant electoral contest as 42 candidates officially enter the race for the Tobago House of Assembly (THA) elections scheduled for January 12. According to an official disclosure from the Elections and Boundaries Commission (EBC) on December 19, the nomination process concluded successfully across the island following established electoral protocols.

Four distinct political parties have thrown their hats into the ring, setting the stage for a multifaceted competition. The People’s National Movement (PNM) and the Tobago People’s Party (TPP) have demonstrated comprehensive electoral ambitions by fielding candidates in all 15 available constituencies. Meanwhile, the Innovative Democratic Alliance has entered the fray with 11 nominated candidates, indicating strategic participation across key districts. The Unity of the People party completes the political spectrum with a single candidate nomination.

The EBC confirmed that Nomination Day proceedings on Friday unfolded without incident, reflecting the commission’s adherence to transparent and efficient electoral management. This smooth operational execution underscores the commission’s commitment to maintaining electoral integrity throughout the pre-election period.

This election represents a crucial political event for Tobago’s governance structure, with the outcome determining the assembly’s composition and leadership direction for the coming term. The substantial candidate participation across multiple parties suggests a robust democratic process and potentially competitive outcomes across various electoral districts.

The political contest for control of the Tobago House of Assembly (THA) officially commenced on Friday as candidates from the Tobago People’s Party (TPP) successfully submitted their nomination documents at the Glamorgan Multipurpose Facility.

Chief Secretary and TPP political leader Farley Augustine expressed satisfaction with the efficient nomination process, describing it as thoroughly organized. ‘All prospective candidates underwent a preparatory session with the Election and Boundaries Commission (EBC) last week,’ Augustine revealed. ‘This preliminary review ensured all documentation was properly certified and helped alleviate any pre-filing apprehensions.’

Augustine, who filed his nomination for the Parlatuvier/L’Anse Fourmi/Speyside electoral district, conveyed strong confidence in his party’s electoral prospects. The TPP has implemented strategic measures by pairing candidates with experienced campaign managers and election agents to optimize their electoral performance.

Addressing voter participation expectations, Augustine projected significantly higher turnout rates compared to April’s general elections. ‘Tobagonians demonstrate greater engagement in THA elections because the assembly directly impacts their daily lives—from road maintenance and healthcare to educational services and social support systems,’ he explained.

When questioned about governance challenges during his administration’s tenure, Augustine acknowledged difficulties but emphasized his team’s resilience. ‘We faced numerous tests of our capabilities, but our consistent stability throughout these challenges demonstrates the strength of Tobago’s leadership,’ he stated.

The TPP’s complete candidate roster includes fifteen contenders across various electoral districts, with the critical assembly election scheduled for January 12, which will determine Tobago’s governance for the forthcoming four-year term.

Political factions in Tobago have formally initiated their campaigns for the upcoming Tobago House of Assembly (THA) elections scheduled for January 12. The nomination process unfolded smoothly across multiple venues on Friday, setting the stage for a highly contested political battle.

Ancil Dennis, Political Leader of the PNM Tobago Council and candidate for Buccoo/Mt Pleasant, expressed unwavering confidence in his party’s prospects. Following the submission of his nomination papers at the Buccoo Multipurpose Centre, Dennis declared that the Progressive National Movement (PNM) anticipates reclaiming governance. He launched a sharp critique against the incumbent Tobago People’s Party (TPP), alleging significant regression across all developmental sectors during their four-year tenure. “Every sector in Tobago has gone backwards significantly – tourism, agriculture, construction – you name it. I believe the people of Tobago would make the right decision, which is a change,” Dennis asserted.

The PNM’s campaign received bolstering support from party stalwart Pennelope Beckles, who emphasized the party’s positive energy and expectation of victory. Beckles highlighted the strength of the PNM’s candidate roster, which includes Dexter Miller (Bagatelle/Bacolet), Carl McEwen (Belle Garden/Glamorgan), and Karyn Forbes (Plymouth/Black Rock) among others.

Simultaneously, at the Calder Hall Multipurpose Facility, the Innovative Democratic Alliance (IDA) completed its nomination process with equal optimism. Political Leader Denise Tsoiafatt-Angus praised the Election and Boundaries Commission (EBC) for their professional handling of the application procedure, awarding them perfect marks for efficiency. The IDA is contesting with eleven candidates across various electoral districts, including Tsoiafatt-Angus herself in Scarborough/Mt Grace, Stacy Herbert in Buccoo/Mt Pleasant, and Mauricia Douglas in Signal Hill/Patience Hill.

The convergence of these political activities signals Tobago’s readiness for a transformative electoral process that will determine the island’s administrative direction for the coming term.

The legal challenge mounted by businessman Danny Guerra against his preventive detention under Trinidad and Tobago’s state of emergency has encountered procedural delays. The Emergency Review Tribunal adjourned proceedings on December 18 to accommodate attorneys representing the Minister of Homeland Security, who requested additional time to prepare written submissions.

Led by Senior Counsel Anand Ramlogan, the ministerial legal team’s request for extension faced strong opposition from Guerra’s defense counsel. Richard Thomas, KC, heading a legal team comprising Nerisa Bala and Emily Rampersad, contended that the minister’s representatives failed to adhere to established practice directions governing such review proceedings.

The tribunal ultimately granted the extension, setting December 23 as the deadline for the minister’s submissions, with Guerra’s legal team afforded until the following day to formulate their response. No subsequent hearing date has been scheduled.

Guerra’s detention stems from his November 20 arrest by the Special Investigations Unit, which alleges his leadership of an organized criminal network engaged in arms trafficking, money laundering, and illegal quarry operations. Homeland Security Minister Roger Alexander’s detention order further references an alleged assassination plot targeting a government minister.

Notably, Thomas received special authorization through Legal Notice 459, gazetted on December 17, enabling his representation in Trinidad and Tobago courts despite not being locally admitted.

This case represents another chapter in Guerra’s legal difficulties, following previous charges filed on October 11 against both him and his son for unlicensed aggregate processing. Those charges resulted in $50,000 bail for each defendant granted by a justice of the peace.

The current state of emergency, initially declared on July 18 and extended for three months in October, remains in effect until January 2026, providing the legal framework for Guerra’s ongoing detention without formal charges.

Trinidad and Tobago’s Finance Minister Davendranath Tancoo has ignited controversy through his unconventional use of WhatsApp status updates to address media relations and government payments. The minister utilized the platform’s status feature to assert that public servant salaries and partial back pay had been disbursed promptly as committed, while simultaneously accusing local media outlets of biased reporting.

The digital confrontation emerged when Newsday journalists attempted to obtain clarification regarding the $3.8 billion back pay owed to Public Services Association (PSA)-represented employees. Despite multiple attempts to contact the minister directly between December 16-19, Tancoo remained unresponsive to media inquiries until choosing to communicate via social media platforms.

According to verified WhatsApp timestamps, the minister’s message declaring successful payments was delivered and read at 2 AM on December 17, though no official ministry updates or press releases confirmed the transaction details. The Treasury Division had previously announced on December 1 that government employee salaries would be processed on December 18.

PSA President Felisha Thomas, when contacted on December 18, referenced a posted notice regarding agreed payment timeframes but subsequently became unreachable for further commentary. The December 2 agreement between the PSA and Chief Personnel Officer stipulated partial back pay distribution in December, with the promised 10% salary increase—a key campaign commitment of the ruling UNC party—scheduled to take effect in January.

Critical questions regarding the exact proportion of the $3.8 billion debt addressed this month and the number of benefiting public servants remain officially unanswered, highlighting ongoing transparency concerns within the government’s communication strategy.