Tobagonians return to the polls on Monday for the second Tobago House of Assembly Elections (THA) of 2021.
The second election comes after a dramatic and historic 6-6 tie, between The People’s National Movement and The Progressive Democratic Party, in January, that forced Tobago to return to the polls.
According to political scientist Dr Winford James, if Tobago does not get this election right, it will indefinitely delay the change the island so desperately needs.
“It’s at a stage where the autonomy movement in Tobago has reached. People are saying that after 21 years of PNM– without the reform of the constitution in Tobago, equality of status and self-determination– and given the momentous result that happened in January, this is an election of critical importance,” James said about the election.
“Tobago needs to break from dependence on Trinidad. Tobago needs to be able to contribute more meaningfully, and to have the authority and means to contribute to the entire country,” he said.
James believed the key to much-needed independence rests in electing a ‘Tobago-bizz’ party. “This is a momentous election if the PDP wins. Obviously, it’s not momentous for the PNM, they just want to continue in power. They feel they are the only party that can run the country. They merely want to retain power, but there are thousands of Tobagonians who want change,” Dr James said.
“The elections can embolden that move. For that to happen, the PDP will have to win. It won’t happen under the PNM. Under the PNM, it will be the same stasis that we’ve had since Orville London took over from Hochoy Charles. After 21 years, the island has been more or less at a standstill.”
Political scientist Dr Bishnu Ragoonath agreed the election was very critical but he didn’t necessarily believe it was the most important election in Tobago’s history.
“It’s critical because it places the Tobago electorate in a position where they would now be able to make a choice as to whether, or not, they continue to support the PNM or whether they will support a new party,” Ragoonath said.
“And (it’s also critical) given the nature of the campaign, whereby, the PNM insists the campaign is one about maintaining its relationship with Trinidad, as opposed to the projection of the PDP, which is more or less, secession.”
He said it’s also important from the perspective that people are looking to see if it starts a political trend, against the government, that could pick up in Trinidad.
In the January 25 elections, PNM won Canaan/Bon Accord, Black Rock/Whim/Spring Garden, Scarborough/Calder Hill, Lambeau/Signal Hill, Bacolet/Mt St George and Buccoo/Mt Pleasant.
The PDP won Goodwood/Belle Garden West, Speyside/L’ Anse Fourmi/Parlutivier, Bethel/Mt Irvine, Providence/Mason Hall/Moriah, Plymouth/Golden Lane and Roxborough/Delaford.
However, without a chance of a tie this time, Monday’s highly-anticipated election will put an end to close to eleven months of political uncertainty in Tobago.
Instead of 12 seats, 15 seats will be contested after the Election and Boundaries Commission amended the electoral boundaries with parliamentary approval.
The election wills be contested by 45 candidates, from five parties.
The People’s National Movement and Progressive Democratic Patriots are contesting all 15 seats.
The Innovative Democratic Alliance is contesting 13 seats, while The Unity of the People and the Class Action Reform Movement are contesting one seat– Buccoo/Mt Pleasant, according to the Elections and Boundaries Commission (EBC).
Tobago Council Leader Tracy Davidson-Celestine leads the PNM, while the PDP is led by Watson Duke, however, its deputy leader Farley Augustine continues to be the face and voice of the party.
The Innovative Democrative Alliance is led by former PNM member Dr Denise Tsoiafatt-Angus, while The Unity of the People is marshalled by Nickocy Phillips, and the Class Action Reform Movement by Ricardo Phillip.
THA Chief Secretary Ancil Dennis is expected to vote at 10 am at the Buccoo Community Centre, while PNM’s Tobago Council Leader Tracy Davidson-Celestine will be voting at the Delaford Community Center at 8 am.
PDP’s deputy leader Farley Augustine is expected to vote at Speyside AC School at 10 am, while the party’s leader Watson Duke will vote at 10 am the Roxborough AC School.