PNM screens for general election

WITH at least 12 months again before general elections are constitutionally due, the PNM will begin screening candidates for the seven seats that were won by the opposition in the 2015 general election.

Speaking with the media following the PNM’s general council meeting at Balisier House, Port of Spain yesterday, PNM chairman Colm Imbert said beginning soon, the party will be screening candidates for the Point-a-Pierre, Barataria, San Juan, Chaguanas East, Caroni East and Couva South and St Augustine constituencies, all seats lost to the Opposition.

Imbert said those who unsuccessfully contested the seats in the last election have not given any indication whether they will be interested in the being screened for another battle. He added that for the yet to be announced local government election, the party has completed screening for the Sangre Grande Regional Corporation, Point Fortin Borough Corporation, Siparia Regional Corporation, San Fernando City Corporation, Tunapuna/Piarco Regional Corporation and Port of Spain City Corporation. This week the party will begin screening candidates for the Chaguanas Borough Corporation, Mayaro/Rio Claro Regional Corporation, Couva/Tabaquite/Talparo Regional Corporation and Arima Borough Corporation.

Imbert added the party is modernising and as a result will launch the a new website, www.pnm.tt, on Wednesday and in a few months the PNM app. The app, according to public relations officer Laurel Lee Sing-Lezama, will allow those who download it to follow the party, MPs and keep abreast with what’s happening in their constituencies. “It will be easy access and sharing of information between the public and the party” she said.

Asked if the party was targeting those who use social media as part of their drive to gain an upper hand in next year’s election, Imbert, with a grin said: “Absolutely! We recognised that communication have changed, people no longer solely rely on mainstream media, a lot of information is now shared and posted on social media and a lot of organisations use apps. We are simply modernising the party to remain current.”

He added members of the party have volunteered their services to afford the party the app and the website.