The latest Nacta poll that became available last week showed the PNM leading in the Arima, Diego Martin, Port-of-Spain, Rio Claro-Mayaro, San Fernando, Sangre Grande and San Juan-Laventille corporations. In all instances, the addition of the ILP and the PP support when added together revealed a combined support base that exceeded that of the PNM.
Next Monday, the electorate in Trinidad will go to the polls to elect their local government representatives. Additionally, today is nomination day for the St. Joseph by-election.Since the result of the Chaguanas West by-election in July, there are now three strong political entities on the national landscape: the People's Partnership coalition, the PNM and the ILP.The presence of the ILP hurt the support base for the PP in Chaguanas West and is likely to cause results to emerge where victories by plurality, and not majority, can take place.The 1981, 1991, 1995, 2001 and 2007 general elections are all examples of how third parties can cause curious outcomes in elections that are inconsistent with the voter intentions.