Seepersad-Bachan takes COP chair Dyer-Griffith elected as deputy chairman (with CNC3 video)

Carolyn Seepersad-Bachan is the Congress of the People’s (COP) newest chairman. Seepersad-Bach received 1,191 votes to cop the title from Joseph Toney. Nicole Dyer-Griffith was elected as the deputy chairman in the party’s executive elections held throughout Trinidad and Tobago yesterday. The results were issued as the party’s executive body met yesterday at Plaza de Montrose, Chaguanas.

Eight people were nominated to the perty’s executive positions. Sharon Ramnarine has become the party’s finance officer, Kirt Sinnette its field operations officer. Omar Ali retained his title as the party’s secretary of communications. Chezette Baillie has become the party’s secretary of public relations, Wendell Eversley its secretary and voter registration secretary, and Lisa Henzell its membership and mobilisation secretary.

Before the new  executive was announced, some of the candidates and supporters shared their hopes for the party’s development with T&T Guardian. In a telephone interview yesterday, outgoing chairman Joseph Toney said if re-elected he would seek constitutional reform with particular focus on proportional representation.

COP's internal elections

Joseph said he would take another look the party’s institutions. He said many people felt alienated from the party and he intends to remedy that. Rekha Ramjit, one of the three candidates for the party’s chairmanship, said she would seek to rebuild the people’s trust in the party. She said the party lost ground support and she would work to rebuild the support.

Ramjit said although the party is a part of the People’s Partnership, she would establish the party as a separate and independent entity within the partnership. Vernon de Lima, former deputy chairman of the party, said he voted for Carolyn Seepersad-Bachan. Seepersad-Bachan was one of the three candidates for the party’s chairmanship.

De Lima said if Seepersad-Bachan wins, there would be a rallying of the troops behind her. He said the party required strong and resolute people who would do right for the country and its people despite political affiliations.