Five PNM MPs bid for re-election

FIVE incumbent PNM MPs have signaled their intention to seek re-election in the 2025 general election.

During the budget debate in the House of Representatives from October 4-10, Rural Development and Local Government Minister Faris Al-Rawi said he plans to seek re-election as San Fernando West MP in the election which is constitutionally due by next August.

Under the law, next November is the ultimate deadline to call the election.

Al-Rawi was first elected San Fernando West MP in the September 7, 2015 election. He was re-elected in the August 10, 2020 election.

Joining Al-Rawi in seeking re-election are Public Utilities Minister Marvin Gonzales, Minister in the Ministry of Education Lisa Morris-Julian and Point Fortin MP Kennedy Richards Jnr. Gonzales and Morris-Julian are the MPs for Lopinot/Bon Air West and D'Abadie/O'Meara respectively.

After the PNM's General Council meeting at Balisier House, Port of Spain on October 19, general secretary Foster Cummings said the Prime Minister informed the council that nominations for 15 constituencies will be called effective October 21.

The constituencies are: Toco/Sangre Grande, Arima, Lopinot/Bon Air West, Tunapuna, La Horquetta/Talparo, Arouca/Maloney, D'Abadie/O'Meara, St Joseph, St Ann’s East, Laventille East, Morvant, Laventille West, San Fernando West, San Fernando East, La Brea and Point Fortin. The incumbent PNM MPs representing these constituencies are Roger Monroe, Penelope Beckles-Robinson, Gonzales, Esmond Forde, Cummings, Camille Robinson-Regis, Morris-Julian, Terrence Deyalsingh, Dr Nyan Gadsby-Dolly, Adrian Leonce, Fitzgerald Hinds, Al-Rawi, Brian Manning, Stephen McClashie and Richards Jnr.

Cummings said instructions will be sent out on October 21, allowing constituencies three weeks to submit nominations. He added the screening process for these constituencies will begin some time after.

With Dr Rowley attending the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) in Samoa from October 21-26, no screening will take place during this period since he is the chairman of the PNM's screening committee.

Gonzales, Morris-Julian and Richards Jnr all indicated on October 21, they will seek to be nominated as candidates for their respective constituencies.

In a WhatsApp comment sent to Newsday, Gonzales was confident of winning the nomination for Lopinot/Bon Air West. He said he "started holding discussions with the (constituency) executive and so far, the decision to support my nomination is unanimous."

Morris-Julian said, "Yes. It is my intention to seek nomination as Member of Parliament for a second term."

She added, "I remain dedicated to our constituency and believe there is important work ahead in D'Abadie/O'Meara's development."

Richards Jnr said, "I am going to file nominations. Would be sending with my achievements and future plans."

A commercial airline pilot by profession, Richards Jnr has compiled a magazine – Flight to Success, listing some of his critical achievements during his first term as MP, as part of his bid to be nominated as a candidate for a second time.

To date, the PNM has selected 13 prospective candidates.

They are Dr Muhammad Yunus Ibrahim (Barataria/San Juan), Richie Sookhai (Chaguanas East), Renuka Sagramsingh-Sooklal (St Augustine), Leena Rampersad (Caroni East), Mukesh Ramsingh (Pointe-a-Pierre), Kheron Khan (Fyzabad), Anil Ramjit (Tabaquite), Roshan Ramcharan (Couva South), Brent Maraj (Couva North), Winston Mahabir (Chaguanas West), Adam Hosein (Caroni Central), Beatrice Bridglal (Mayaro) and Lisa Atwater (Moruga/Tableland).

Khan is the son of former PNM chairman and energy minister Franklin Khan who died on April 17,2021.

Any of these candidates can be changed before the announcement of the election date and the associated nomination date when the candidacies of individuals are confirmed.

The party's screening process continues even though its convention previously scheduled for November 17 was postponed. Cummings said the party's constitution allows the political leader to set its agenda which was ratified by the council which agreed to wait for the new date.