Only 53 special voters submitted ballots yesterday at the People’s National Movement’s Balisier House head office ahead of next week’s party executive election.
PNM elections team supervisor Murchison Browne confirmed the figure as voting ended at 6 pm.
Special voting was for people who would be away from T&T during next Sunday’s election, life members and people working during the election day.
When the deadline for application forms closed last Monday, about 175 odd forms had been sought.
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley last Friday took his pitch for his Red slate to PNM Youth League members.
Some Youth League members are supporting independent challengers in the election.
Rowley’s Red slate has already won - unopposed - five of the 16 posts up for contest, including his leadership post. But a number of people are independently contesting the other 11 posts,
At the recent launch of the campaign of some independents, the meeting was opened with an address by Youth League chairman Saleem Neptune.
A number of Youth League members also attended the meeting which was in support of independent challengers Chinua Alleyne (current PNM Youth officer), Mustapha Abdul-Hamid and Hillan Morean.
Alleyne is contesting the post of general secretary, Abdul-Hamid, chairman and deputy Port-of-Spain mayor Morain, the post of Youth Officer.
Attendees said Rowley didn’t call names of challengers when he met with Youth League members last Friday at Balisier House for a two-hour meeting. However, he did explain his rationale for his slate.
They added that Rowley dismissed a “Sunshine” article which called on PNM voters to “say no” to Rowley’s team and “yes to Team PNM.” Other PNM sources said among questions from the floor, Rowley was quizzed on perceived lack of touch with Youth League members and why he didn’t have some people on his slate.
The meeting featured praise from some attendees for the work of Youth League chairman Neptune and current Youth Officer Alleyne, they added. Also attending were members of Heliconia Foundation, a group involving young PNM members.