New UNC natex sworn in

Weeks after United National Congress (UNC) political leader Kamla Persad-Bissessar was given an overwhelming mandate to lead the opposition party by its membership, she together with members of the new national executive (natex) were sworn into office last week during a meeting at Paragon Indoor Sports facility in Debe on December 11.

The party’s internal election was held on November 26 and Persad-Bissessar received 20,321 votes as compared to her closet rival Cumuto/Manzanilla MP Christine Newallo-Hosein who got 112 votes. The official count was given by party general secretary Dave Tancoo who observed that 20,434 members cast their vote at 77 polling stations scattered throughout the country.

There were 13 uncontested positions while five positions were up for grabs. After each member were introduced to the large audience, Tancoo instructed them to raise their right hands as they repeated the pledge of induction into the natex.

“I solemnly pledge to uphold the party constitution, the rules and policies of the United National Congress, to strive my best to maintain the dignity of the United National Congress, to carry about myself and conduct all business in such a manner to bring pride to my party and in furtherance to the goals and objectives of the United National Congress,” Tancoo said as each member repeated.

The women’s arm and youth arm posts are expected to be elected by separate congress next year. The party’s last scheduled event is the UNC End of Year cooler fete at Fun Splash Water Park, Debe on December 30.