The battle royale expected for the 2015 general election will likely kick the political game up several notches, and not only where the quality of party candidates is concerned.
So extra heat is projected for the upcoming struggle in what has already been an overheated environment during the current administration's term. After the PP's 2010 cast of political stars, other luminaries and newbies, and the term's events, which have seen PP image-seepage, the Opposition PNM's bid for the 2015 stakes has upped the political ante in seeking quality candidates.
The PNM's Faris Al-Rawi on Thursday, promoting his San Fernando West candidacy, noted the PNM's latest picks, former Chief of Defence staff BrigAncil Antoine (D'Abadie/O'Meara ), PNM adviser Maxie Cuffie (La Horquetta/Talparo) and attorney Stuart Young (Port-of -Spain North). Al-Rawi says PNM leader Keith Rowley is determined to return "the intelligentsia" to government.
Antoine, who retired from the military in 2011, was the first director general of the Inter-American Defense Board, developing collaborative approaches on defence and security issues facing the Americas.Antoine says he'd been in politics since retiring and was the PNM's operations manager for eastern areas for 2013 local government polls. Living in Arima, he's aware of contentions surrounding the seat formerly held by COP's Anil Roberts–including Life Sport and the Caparo Jamaat.
Antoine added, "I'm not intimidated. I offer much military experience, which includes people experience. The military's about people–looking after personnel and departments. Constituencies are similar, though larger-scale. Debates and presentation are also a significant part of the military mix. Other aspects, I'm ready to become acquainted with. It'll be a lot of work, but I'm prepared."
PNM officials hint another retired Defence Force head is tipped for Point Fortin, as well as magistrate Lucina Cardinez-Ragoonanan (San Fernando East), Anthony Garcia (Arima), Eric Taylor and Ronald Boynes (Toco/Sangre Grande).The PNM's courting of military members–projecting strength, security and discipline and "big names" which would draw support–follows the PP's incorporation of similar personnel including Brig John Sandy and National Security Minister Gary Griffith.
PP screening begins next year with negotiations with the COP, a PP spokesman said, confirming most MPs will be replaced and focus will on 6 to 10 swing seats which could determine victory.Parties may also have a different environment in which to campaign.
A media workshop held earlier this week on election coverage by the T&T Publishers' and Broadcasters Association and Association of Caribbean Media Workers yielded signals that TTPBA and the Advertising Agencies Association want higher standards.
TTPBA's Kiran Maharaj said the association is formulating a policy for advertisers. A broadcast code is also expected for Parliament by year-end. AAATT's Lorraine Rostant–a T&T Transparency Institute official–said that sector is moving towards regulating parties' advertising.Both outlined challenges their sectors faced at campaign time. Rostant said the sector was horrified at some things appearing in the media from some of its own members. Some self-regulation is being done.
Political analyst Derek Ramsamooj said T&T has a very bribable electorate and the private sector was the beneficiary of the business of politics. He asked if media houses are prepared to give up a potential $300 million in campaign earnings in the interest of principle"For campaign finance reform to work, the (self-serving) political culture has to change," he said.
EBC chairman Norbert Masson said the media to an extent contributed to excessive costs associated with election, as rates rose at election time.Miami Herald World Editor John Yearwood suggested fact-checking media consortia. Joel Nanton of the COSTAATT journalism school and the Media Complaints Council said a revamped MCC code is coming.
Editors in chief of the Trinidad Express, Newsday and T&T Guardian, veteran journalist/editor Omatie Lyder, electronic/print veteran Jones P Madeira and Judy Raymond gave election-coverage guidelines. The latter two particularly warned about media intimidation.Rostant said yesterday the AATT and TTPBA were two associations wielding great influence and power in "what got out" and if members stood up, "the situation might be pulled back from where we've reached in the last 20 years."