PNM on lookout for nominees in 3 key seats

People’s National Movement (PNM) executives in the La Brea, Toco/Sangre Grande and Lopinot/Bon Air West constituencies are searching desperately for nominees to be screened for the upcoming general election.

This, after the party’s screening committee, headed by the Prime Minister, rejected the nominees who were put forward for screening within the past week.

The screening committee has asked members of the executives in these areas to widen the search. As such, no new dates have been set for screening in these constituencies.

A high-ranking party source told Sunday Newsday both Toco/Sangre Grande and La Brea have been given until the end of this week to produce fresh nominees.

The source could not say if this was the case with Lopinot/Bon Air West.

“There are several constituencies that are outstanding. Lopinot/Bon Air West has gone back for a second time. And Toco/Sangre Grande are still outstanding.”

The source noted screening for the Arima constituency has also been postponed three times. “I think the committee is waiting for Penny (Penelope Beckles-Robinson) to come back from the United States.”

Beckles-Robinson, TT’s permanent representative to the United Nations, is a former Arima MP and senator.

She also unsuccessfully challenged Dr Rowley for the PNM’s leadership in the 2014 internal election. The Mayaro and St Augustine constituency executives are also searching for nominees.

Although the PNM is yet to finalise its candidates in several constituencies, the source said the party is confident of victory.

“We are feeling confident going into this election because of the way the Government handled covid19.”

On Thursday, Toco/Sangre Grande’s main prospect, former cricketer Mervyn Dillon was given the boot after being screened previously along with several other nominees, including incumbent Glenda Jennings-Smith, Agricultural Society president Dhano Sookoo, businessman Roger Munroe and former councillor Lorraine Heath.

La Brea also has to return to the drawing board after former public utilities minister and PNM vice-chairman Robert Le Hunte was rejected as the area’s key nominee.

Incumbent Nicole Olivierre also did not make the cut.

Lopinot/Bon Air West has also been asked to seek fresh prospects after its three nominees – PNM PRO Laurel Lezama-Lee Sing, communications professional Gervon Abraham and Merlin Ramey - were screened on June 4.