A total of 39 candidates from four different political parties yesterday submitted their nomination papers to contest the Tobago House of Assembly elections on January 23.
Three out of the four political parties arrived at the Election and Boundaries Commission's offices with blaring music, scores of supporters, dressed in party colours, waving banners and flags.
All of the candidates said the process went smoothly and expressed confidence at the polls.
Candidates for the People's National Movement (PNM), Progressive Democratic Patriots (PDP), the Tobago Forwards (TF) and the Movement for Transformation (MFT) turned out at the various offices of the EBC's Returning Officers.
All candidates filed the necessary documents and paid $2,000 making them the bona fide bidders for the 12 seats across Tobago.
Speaking to the media prior to filing his nomination papers, Political Leader of the PDP Watson Duke said, he was confident that his party would win at least seven seats in the election.
Duke, who is the president of the Public Services Association, said, although the day was incident free, his party had some issues with the cheques presented for the nomination fee. He said the issue was quickly regularised and payments were made by cash.
"We are fully confident of at least seven seats. We will be working on five more seats to make the twelve, because we need to balance the curse the PNM put upon Tobago over the last 16 years. I can't divulge the seats, because it's strategy. They will now concentrate on those seven to take them back, but let them concentrate on all," he said.
Political Leader of the People's National Movement's Tobago Council Kelvin Charles said, his party would start their campaign as soon as possible. He said, the parties first formal launch should take place on Sunday. Commenting on the current regime's performance, he said, the incumbent has proven to accountable and transparent for the past 16 years in office.
"The current THA has done quite well. I know for a fact in the area of accountability and transparency, there have been weekly meetings with the press, I am aware of the 'Let's Talk Tobago' programme, there has been several face-to-face meetings in various areas and electoral districts and communities, so I think there has been a credible attempt by the current regime to respond to its critics," Charles said.
Political Leader of the Tobago Forwards Christlyn Moore and her team walked through the streets of Scarborough from their head of office, located at Gomes Building downtown Scarborough to the EBC office uptown, Scarborough. She said, her party wanted to show Tobagonians that they were ready and available to represent them. She said, under the Tobago Forwards victimisation would be a thing of the past.
"There is a culture of victimisation. It is not simply directed at opposition parties, it is directed to any dissenting voice and so what you have is a culture of fear, where people are literally afraid to be associated with any political party, or with anyone who has a political voice that is not PNM, and with the Tobago Forwards that would indeed change," Moore said.
The Movement for Transformation headed by former Tobago East Member of Parliament and government minister Eudine Job�Davis fielded three candidates, however, she could not be reached for comment.