UNC appoints Ashvani Mahabir to Senate

Attorney Ashvani Mahabir has been sworn in as an opposition senator to replace Gerald Ramdeen.

Mahabir, who had been tipped for the post on Tuesday, was sworn in at the Senate on Wednesday morning.

Attorney Gerald Ramdeen resigned as a senator after he was charged with corruption-related charges along with former attorney general Anand Ramlogan.

The United National Congress (UNC) confirmed its appointment of Mahabir, an attorney and communications consultant, in a news release.

The UNC said Mahabir brought to the Parliament wide and extensive academic and professional qualifications as well as experience in the fields of law, political communications and strategy, research, public relations and management.

Mahabir is a graduate of the University of the West Indies with a bachelor of arts degree in history. He is also a graduate of the University of London with a bachelor’s degree in law and the holder of a legal education certificate from the Sir Hugh Wooding Law School. Further, he is a graduate of the University of Leicester with a master’s degree in mass communications.

For the last 19 years he has been engaged in his private law and communications practice in Chaguanas.

The UNC said Mahabir had exhibited strong commitment to the party’s philosophy and ideology and his appointment was a reflection of the UNC’s policy commitment in ensuring young people’s right to contribute, to participate and be incorporated in the democratic processes.