THA Elections: PNM and PDP agrees to talk

(PNM) The People’s National Movement and Progressive Democratic Patriots (PDP) teams have settled to sit down and sort out something which can dovetail with the service of the Parliament’s Joint Select Committee (JSC) in Tobago Self-Government in the wake of the six-six halt on the January 25th Tobago House of Assembly (THA) election.

5th of March 2021

Trinidad and Tobago: (PNM) The People’s National Movement and Progressive Democratic Patriots (PDP) teams have settled to sit down and sort out something which can dovetail with the service of the Parliament’s Joint Select Committee (JSC) in Tobago Self-Government in the wake of the six-six halt on the January 25th Tobago House of Assembly (THA) election.

Prime Minister of T&T Dr. Keith Rowley emphasized an understanding had been reached between the two parties PNM Tobago Council and the PDP, to talk to establish a joint interim government for the THA till the JSC on Tobago Self-Government has consequent its service.

Rowley met with the 12 THA assembly-men yesterday morning at the Magdalena Grand Beach and Golf Resort in Tobago. After the PM meeting, the assemblymen held discussions on the way forward and then met with Prime Minister Rowley again to inform him of the result of their deliberations.

Speaking at a respective news conference following the amendments, Rowley said the two parties agreed or settled that they are prepared to continue talking, “and I did extract from them, I think, a commitment that they will come to a specific solution that would be influenced by the fact” that they should go back to the election polls after the Joint Select Committee (which is due to finish its report in May) has finished its work.

“Because the service of that JSC, once it comes to Parliament, will carry with its the amendment of specific laws, including the Constitution, and will influence itself an election and, hence, (the question is) will you want to have two elections,” one triggered by the recent amendment to the THA Act which was prior passed on Tuesday night, and another election triggered by the legislative reform process spearheaded by the JSC.

Asked whether the THA Bill further passed on Tuesday night in the Senate will no longer be required, Rowley said: “It is a tool that has now become available as of last night.”

He noted that the bill has a proclamation clause and does not become law until the Cabinet advises the President to proclaim it.

Click here for more news