Who REALLY running the show?! PNM Internal Elections edition

[UML]

RASC me eh hearing yuh at all at all at all

'Abstain' from voting in internal elections
By Ria Taitt Political Editor
http://www.trinidadexpress.com/news/_Ab ... 16474.html

Story Created: Mar 17, 2011 at 11:45 PM ECT

Story Updated: Mar 17, 2011 at 11:45 PM ECT

Former prime minister Patrick Manning has advised delegates of the San Fernando East constituency that it may be best if they "sacrifice" their vote and "abstain" in Sunday's internal party election of the People's National Movement.

San Fernando East has the largest blocs of delegates (of the 41 constituency) and its withdrawal from the electoral process would reduce the electoral turnout in an elections in which there is a close contest. Sources said the constituency delegates are likely to follow Manning's advice.

Chairman of the constituency Tina Gronlund-Nunez confirmed yesterday that delegates were advised on the circumstances they faced in this convention.

"We are in a precarious position. Those (San Fernando East) votes belong to the former political leader. So therefore that one constituency could determine the new executive of the new political leader which might not be proper—a former political leader choosing a new political leader's executive," she said.

"The party groups were advised about this situation and they have the option to going out there and voting and have San Fernando East and the former political leader accused of once again interfering with the future of the party or to stand down and allow the other 40 constituencies to decide who should be the new executive," Gronlund-Nunez added.

"As the chair I did not put it to a vote, but one could have tell that there was agreement that we should stand down," Gronlund-Nunez stated, saying that this took place at a meeting on Monday night.

But sources said yesterday that the non-participation of San Fernando East as a result of a "directive/recommendation" from Manning meant that he could now be accused of directly interfering in the election.

Gronlund-Nunez stressed that Manning gave no directive to any delegate not to vote.

"The former political leader strongly believes in democracy... He advised the delegates of the situation we face, and (said) that maybe sometimes it's best that you stand down and allow the other 40 constituencies to vote, "she said.

"There is no malice. There is no undermining of the democratic process at all, at all, at all. It is plain and simple—he has suggested to his delegates that it may be better if they "sacrifice their vote and abstain this rounds".

Asked whether all the delegates from San Fernando were going to vote the same way, Gronlund-Nunez said usually the constituency votes go in the same direction.

But Opposition Leader Dr Keith Rowley does not agree with this position.

Yesterday Rowley said delegates represented people and should not be encouraged to boycott the election. He said he had always stated that he preferred the one man/one vote situation and what was happening in San Fernando East makes the case for the abolition of the delegate system, "because it is being used and manipulated for strange agenda".

Foster Cummings mum on CEPEP/NIB money matter
By Ria Taitt Political Editor
http://www.trinidadexpress.com/news/Fos ... 58874.html

Story Created: Mar 15, 2011 at 11:55 PM ECT

Story Updated: Mar 15, 2011 at 11:55 PM ECT

Candidate for the post of general secretary of the People's National Movement Foster Cummings on Monday refused comment on reports that he was among the names of CEPEP contractors who owe money to the National Insurance Board.

Last Friday Housing Minister Roodal Moonilal said the Government was looking into a number of CEPEP contractors who owed substantial sums in NIS.

When Cummings was questioned about this, he replied that he was not in a position to make any statement on this matter because the issue to which Moonilal was referring was currently the subject of a court matter.

"So I don't want to comment on that," he said.

Cummings is up against Ashton Ford for the position of general secretary.

who voting for a THIEF?!!

[Sky]

ha ha ha ha.

For the past ten years UNC fought amongst themselves and didn't bother to do their job and oppose PNM. So PNM did what they wanted and ran the country down.

Now PNM fighting among themselves and may not oppose PP, and PP gonna finish run the country into the ground.

Seriously UML, where's the joke in that?
Ah tell yuh, allyuh men does put friends, people, grudges, race and class over country.
Nothing funny funny about a squabbling opposition. Look what happened last time we had one.

[SmokeyGTi]

i don't get it..they way i see it, if manning's supporters were allowed to vote then rowley would have an executive which probably wouldn't have backed him.

i don't see why he gettin on now for..things would have been actually worse for him had manning not intervened...

[brams112]

manning holding back his people to bull the rott,anyway franklyn might lose because of certain things to sensitive to mention here,too much haters

[bugatti veyron]

Instead of focusing where we as citizens can make a positive contribution towards our society, we get excited about nonsense like this. That's why we would stay where we are or get worse.

[RBphoto]

Effective opposition and the spirit of democracy are no laughing matter. Manning is jepordizing both.