标签： Trinidad and Tobago

In an unprecedented political development, the Tobago People’s Party (TPP) has achieved a monumental victory by capturing all 15 seats in the Tobago House of Assembly (THA) election held on January 12. The landslide win represents a dramatic shift in the island’s political dynamics and marks a historic moment in Tobago’s governance history.

Former THA minority leader Kelvon Morris, who previously secured the Darrel Spring/Whim constituency in the December 2021 election, extended his congratulations to TPP political leader Farley Augustine despite losing his seat in the electoral sweep. Morris specifically acknowledged his successful TPP opponent Ricky Joefield while indicating his intention to request a recount due to the narrow margin of defeat in his electoral district.

Emphasizing the normalcy of such procedures in closely contested races, Morris stated that this step would ensure clarity and confidence in the electoral process. He simultaneously recognized the unequivocal nature of the preliminary results across Tobago, applauding all 15 TPP candidates for their decisive victory.

The Elections and Boundaries Commission (EBC) confirmed on January 13 that the Progressive National Movement (PNM) had formally requested recounts in both the Darrel Spring/Whim and Scarborough/Mt Grace districts, with proceedings scheduled to commence at 3 pm that same day.

In a reflective statement, Morris expressed gratitude toward his campaign team, volunteers, family, and supporters for their dedication throughout the election period. He specifically thanked constituents for the opportunity to serve and emphasized the importance of continued civic engagement in strengthening democratic institutions.

Looking toward Tobago’s future under TPP leadership, Morris articulated hopes that campaign commitments would be honored and that the new administration would govern with humility and integrity. He stressed the importance of delivering meaningful progress and opportunities for all Tobagonians while affirming his ongoing commitment to public service regardless of electoral outcomes.

In a landmark political development, Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar has extended congratulations to the Tobago People’s Party (TPP) for achieving an unprecedented electoral victory, securing all 15 seats in the Tobago House of Assembly (THA) elections. The Prime Minister expressed optimism about establishing a productive collaborative framework between the national government and Tobago’s leadership.

The comprehensive triumph of the TPP, led by Chief Secretary Farley Augustine, represents an extraordinary political mandate that Prime Minister Persad-Bissessar characterized as demonstrating profound confidence in the party’s vision for Tobago’s future. In her official statement issued January 13, she emphasized the government’s commitment to fostering “continued cooperation and constructive engagement” with the THA to advance Tobago’s social, economic, and institutional development.

Despite the absence of a formal coalition agreement, the TPP’s two Members of Parliament currently occupy seating alongside government backbenchers from the United National Congress (UNC) in the House of Representatives—a traditionally symbolic arrangement indicating cooperation.

The Prime Minister’s statement notably highlighted the peaceful conclusion of the electoral process and the clear mandate delivered by Tobagonian voters. This development follows Persad-Bissessar’s November address to the THA in Scarborough, where she extensively discussed Tobago’s status as an equal partner with Trinidad and acknowledged the island’s longstanding pursuit of greater autonomy and resource allocation.

However, the relationship has experienced moments of divergence, particularly regarding national security matters. Last November revealed tensions concerning the installation of a advanced US military radar system at the ANR Robinson International Airport without prior consultation with Tobago’s leadership. The G/ATOR system, manufactured by Northrop Grumman, represents sophisticated surveillance technology designed to detect various aerial threats including drones, cruise missiles, and artillery.

Prime Minister Persad-Bissessar clarified that Chief Secretary Augustine’s exclusion from National Security Council membership resulted in the communication gap regarding the temporary radar installation. She emphasized the defensive nature of the equipment, stating it would enhance surveillance capabilities against narco-trafficking operations in regional waters. The US military presence forms part of broader regional security deployments in the southern Caribbean that have received the Prime Minister’s full endorsement.

In the wake of a stunning electoral defeat, the People’s National Movement (PNM) has formally requested vote recounts in two Tobago electoral districts following the Tobago People’s Party’s (TPP) unprecedented 15-0 sweep in the January 12 Tobago House of Assembly (THA) elections.

The Elections and Boundaries Commission (EBC) confirmed on January 13 that the PNM submitted official requests for recounts in both Darrel Spring/Whim and Scarborough/Mt Grace districts, with both recounts scheduled to commence at 3 pm on the announcement date.

Preliminary results revealed a decisive victory for the TPP, which secured 16,240 votes compared to the PNM’s 10,456. Minor parties received negligible support, with the IDA gathering 181 votes and the UTP merely eight votes. The election recorded 26,885 valid votes with 104 ballots rejected.

Kelvon Morris, PNM candidate for Darrel Spring/Whim and former THA minority leader, indicated via Facebook that he would pursue a recount due to the narrow margin of victory in his district. This district held particular significance as it was the only constituency the PNM had won in the previous December 21 THA election, which resulted in a 14-1 victory for the Progressive Democratic Party (PDP).

The political landscape in Tobago has undergone significant transformation since the 2021 elections. THA Chief Secretary Farley Augustine, originally elected under the PDP banner, severed ties with the party in 2022 following political disagreements with leader Watson Duke. In August 2023, thirteen THA members who had been elected under the PDP resigned en masse to establish the TPP. Notably, Duke recently expressed the PDP’s endorsement of the TPP during the January 12 election campaign.

In the wake of a decisive electoral outcome, Tobago’s political landscape has undergone a significant transformation. The Tobago House of Assembly elections held on January 12 resulted in an unprecedented 15-0 victory for the Tobago People’s Party (TPP), leaving the opposition People’s National Movement (PNM) without representation.

Opposition Leader Pennelope Beckles issued a comprehensive statement on January 13 acknowledging the electoral outcome while outlining the party’s path forward. Beckles extended formal congratulations to TPP leader Farley Augustine, who will continue serving as THA Chief Secretary following his party’s clean sweep of all electoral districts.

The political leader highlighted several critical factors influencing the election results, particularly noting the notably low voter turnout which she interpreted as indicative of public contentment with the status quo. This observation suggests a population generally satisfied with current governance rather than disengaged from the political process.

Beckles emphasized the PNM’s commitment to thorough introspection and organizational rebuilding. ‘The PNM understands the necessity of reflection as we work toward rebuilding our party and regaining the trust and confidence of the people,’ she stated, acknowledging the need for substantive changes within the party structure.

The opposition leader expressed gratitude to all fifteen PNM candidates who contested the election, including PNM Tobago Council leader Ancil Dennis who has indicated his intention to resign from leadership following the defeat. Beckles specifically commended Dennis for his ‘service, leadership, dedication, and continued commitment to the people of Tobago and the PNM.’

Looking toward the future, Beckles extended best wishes to the incoming THA members, recognizing that their success would directly impact Tobago’s developmental progress. She reaffirmed the PNM’s ongoing dedication to ‘constructive engagement, national unity, and the pursuit of a stronger and more united Trinidad and Tobago,’ while promising the party would ‘regroup and return stronger and better ready to serve the people.’

In a stunning electoral triumph, the Tobago People’s Party (TPP) under the leadership of Farley Augustine has secured a comprehensive victory in the Tobago House of Assembly elections held on January 12. The party captured all 15 available seats, demonstrating overwhelming voter support with 60.8% of the total valid votes cast across the island.

The TPP’s decisive win included a narrow but significant victory in the Darrel Spring/Whim constituency, where they unseated the sole PNM representative Kelvon Morris by a mere 17-vote margin. According to official figures released by the Elections and Boundaries Commission (EBC), the TPP accumulated 16,240 votes compared to the PNM’s 10,456 votes.

This electoral performance marks a substantial improvement from the party’s 55% showing in the 2025 general election and even surpasses the 58% achieved by the Progressive Democratic Patriots in the December 2021 THA elections. Augustine, who previously served as THA chief secretary under the PDP government, formed the TPP after departing from the PDP.

Despite the overwhelming victory, the EBC report revealed concerning voter participation trends. The voter turnout reached a concerning low of 50.69% from an electorate of 53,239 registered voters—the poorest participation rate since 2017 and significantly below the record 56.97% turnout recorded in the December 2021 elections.

Minor parties including the Innovative Democratic Alliance led by Dr. Denise Tsoiafatt Angus garnered 181 votes, while the Unity of the People party, which fielded only leader Nickocy Phillips as a candidate, received just eight votes.

The PNM has formally requested recounts in two constituencies—Darrel Spring/Whim and Scarborough/Mt Grace—with the EBC scheduling these recounts to commence at 3 pm on January 13. The commission emphasized that all results remain preliminary pending the completion of these recounts.