PDP holds THA elections screening on Sunday

THE Progressive Democratic Patriots (PDP) is hoping to present its candidates for the THA elections within the next two weeks.

PDP deputy leader Farley Augustine made the announcement as he addressed members of the media during a virtual news conference on Thursday. The PDP is contesting all 12 electoral districts in the elections, constitutionally due in 2021.

According to Augustine, interviewing of aspiring candidates begins on Sunday.

“The screening committee has been meeting, agreeing on the rubric for judging our would-be candidates,” he said.

Although the party closed nominations on September 15, Augustine said for three districts the deadline has been extended to find more suitable candidates.

“No area is uncontested. For three areas, the action groups were not satisfied with the names that came forward and so the party has given them the authority to go back to the drawing board and to seek out candidates who they think are more electable; and that’s only fair, that’s only right if we’re going to find the best candidate for each area."

He added, “This is a party that places its strength on the action groups down at the bottom as opposed to the executives at the top. Our party would not be using any veto power to get rid of anybody, our party would be relying on our action groups and the members of the party to ultimately confirm our candidates.”

He said the PDP got a tremendous response in certain areas.

“The Bethel area, the Buccoo areas ... they are way more competitive than some of the other areas like Goodwood/ Belle Garden,”

The PDP currently holds two of the 12 electoral districts while the People’s National Movement occupies the other ten. Augustine represents Parlatuvier/ L’Anse Fourmi/ Speyside while PDP leader Watson Duke is the representative for Roxborough/Delaford.

Augustine said before the candidates are officially presented, they would be expected to meet key stakeholders in the communities.

“In this election, we are going to focus on a heavy grounded game. We have gone a far distance from true engagement with the electorate, and our electorate, in this election, we believe, they are demanding that we go back to basics, go back to the days when candidates ensured they knocked on every door, and that is one of the mantras for every candidate for the PDP.

"You have to knock on every single door, you have to engage everyone including those who may be angry and viciously against our politics, engage them the same way because we are practising for running the Executive Council, an Executive Council that will engage every single Tobagonian including those Tobagonians who would not vote for us.”