PNM wins most votes

THE People's National Movement (PNM) won the majority of votes in the Barataria and Belmont East by-elections on Monday. Preliminary information provided by the Elections and Boundaries Commission (EBC) showed the PNM won a total of 2,419 votes. This is divided into 1,825 votes in Barataria and 594 votes in Belmont East. The United National Congress (UNC) total votes in both districts was 2,084 votes. The UNC received 1,933 and 151 votes in Barataria and Belmont East respectively.

The fledgling Progressive Empowerment Party received a total of 120 votes ( 69- Barataria, 51- Belmont East). There were nine rejected votes in Barataria and three in Belmont East. Out of a total electorate of 10,207 in Barataria, only 3,836 people voted on Monday. Similarly in Belmont East, 799 out of 3,237 voters cast their ballots in the district on Monday. The EBC said final results will be released at a later date.