MSJ leader: COP can tip the scales in election of president

Political leader of the Movement for Social Justice (MSJ) David Abdulah says while much local attention will be focused on Carnival celebrations within the next few weeks, citizens should be aware of the election of T&T's new president which will take place on February 15.

In a press release on Friday, Abdulah said citizens must bear in mind that although the president is elected by the electoral college of the entire Parliament, the Government controls the majority in the House and so, “the government’s decision as to who should be president ultimately carries the vote.”

Abdulah said, however, given the context of the present political coalition, the Congress of the People (COP) could play a crucial role in the selection of president. If the COP does not agree with the choice of the United National Congress’ (UNC) cabal then it can with its theoretical numbers of six MPs in the House and three senators stymie the cabal’s choice.

He said if the country was saddled with a terrible choice of president, it may ultimately be the result of the COP’s weakness being manifest yet again. Abdulah said the Tobago Organisation of the People (TOP) can also tip the balance as well.

He said the issue of the election of the next president must be seen as another crucial examination of the governance of the PP government and whether party loyalty will trump once again the commitments made in the Fyzabad Declaration and Manifesto, which commitments include to “make choices based on merit in carrying out public business, including making public appointments” and to “not politicise the civil service, commissions or State enterprises.”

Abdulah said citizens should make their voices heard on the issue. He said the MSJ will assess the PP on their choice of president after the nomination process which deadline ends on February 5.