After publicly announcing candidates for three constituencies in 2019 the People’s National Movement (PNM) has now made a 180-degree turn.
In a media release sent on January 27 the party said, "The chairman advised that the political leader issued a call for nominations for the 2020 general election for all constituencies, effective immediately. The chairman also advised that whilst nominations would be opened from this week, the screening exercise would commence after Carnival 2020."
However, in July 2019 the party revealed that Agriculture Minister Clarence Rambharat was the party's candidate for Chaguanas East.
Responding to brief questions as he formally opened the PNM’s newest constituency office at Lendore Village, Enterprise, in August 2019, Rowley confirmed Rambharat had been successfully screened and would be leading the party’s outreach in Central.
Also in July, the party announced assistant general secretary Daniel Dookie as its selected candidate for Pointe-a-Pierre. PNM PRO Laurel Lezama Lee Sing said Dookie was the first candidate from any political party to be selected for the 2020 election.
Later that same month, temporary government senator Ndale Young was named as the prospective candidate for the marginal and keenly contested constituency of Barataria/San Juan. The party said in a release that "three outstanding candidates presented themselves, and Young received the nod from the Screening Committee."
But after announcing that screening would commence in all 41 constituencies after Carnival, Guardian Media reached out to the once-named candidates to find out if they would go through the process again.
Young:
Ndale Young said he would continue to act like the prospective candidate until he is told otherwise.
Asked whether he would screen again, he said he would have to consult his wife, spiritual leader and others.
He added that right now "I am focused on winning the election and constituency in whatever position I am asked to do so.”
Young said he was not told about the rescreening exercise but said it was the prerogative of the chairman and party to do so.
He said "we were prospective candidates chosen by a robust process and it’s a process I believe in."
Dookie:
Dookie offered a similar response when asked about rescreening. He said, "I have not yet discussed it with the constituency. For now, I am working with the constituency as I usually do."
Rambharat:
Rambharat said he too was unaware of why the process was being redone. "I have no idea," he said.
He confirmed that he would have to be screened again but stopped short of confirming that he would again seek to represent Chaguanas East.
"Now that party groups from all 41 constituencies are preparing to nominate candidates, it’s possible to be nominated for more than one constituency. Party groups in Chag East have already said to me that they would like to nominate me for the constituency and other party groups from other constituencies (I would not name them) have also expressed an interest.
I am open to all the possibilities and when that time comes I would decide."
Cummings: This will allow our new members an opportunity to participate in the process
Guardian Media also sought clarity on the matter from general secretary of the PNM Foster Cummings.
When asked how the nomination process was proceeding he said, "We have not triggered the submission of applications just yet but this will be done shortly."
Responding to whether the three constituencies—Barataria/San Juan, Pointe-a-Pierre and Chaguanas East—where candidates were already screened will have to go over the process, Cummings said, "we will be inviting nominations for all 41 constituencies. Including the ones you mentioned. Persons previously shortlisted can submit nominations."
Asked to explain the rationale behind this, Cummings said, "We have been engaged in a very intensive membership drive and this will allow our new members an opportunity to participate in the process."
The date for the 2020 general election has not yet been called but already parties have begun screening and revealing candidates. Last week the United National Congress announced opposition senator Sean Sobers as its candidate for San Fernando West—The seat is currently held by Attorney General Faris Al-Rawi. The party also unveiled chairman of its national women’s arm, Kenya Charles, as the candidate to contest St Ann’s East—the incumbent there is the PNM’s Dr Nyan Dolly, the Minister of Community Development, Culture and the Arts.
Also in the race for San Fernando West is political leader of the Progressive Party Nikoli Edwards and independent candidate San Fernando businesswoman, Jowelle De Souza.