Charles: Only PNM, PDP agreement can solve crisis cnc3.co.tt - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from cnc3.co.tt Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
Reporting by AKASH SAMAROO & JANELLE BERNARD
The historical deadlock continues at the Tobago House of Assembly (THA) as the Assembly failed to decide upon a Presiding Officer.
In contention were Ingrid Melville (nominated by the People’s National Movement) and Julien Skeete (nominated by the Progressive Democratic Patriots), both of whom won six votes each from the two political parties elected to the Assembly.
Deputy Political Leader of the Progressive Democratic Patriots (PDP), Farley Augustine, may have anticipated such an outcome when he spoke with CNC3’s The Morning Brew, earlier today.
He pointed out that where there are no provisions in the THA’s Standing Orders to break a deadlock, the Parliament’s Standing Orders are the next step, should there be an issue in electing a Presiding Officer.
Fresh elections the only way forward in THA impasse cnc3.co.tt - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from cnc3.co.tt Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
“Undemocratic!” That is how the leader of the Progressive Democratic Patriots(PDP) Farley Augustine, describes the move by the People’s National Movement (PNM)to remain in office without meeting to quickly resolve the 6/6 Tobago House of Assembly’s elections’ results impasse.
The two groups met in the Assembly Legislature, Jerningham Street, Scarborough, on January 28 to select a Presiding Officer so that the Assembly’s legislative arm could function.
Instead, they both nominated and seconded two different persons for the post. The PNM selected Ingrid Melville, while the PDP chose Julien Skeete.
After voting by secret ballots and publicly twice, there was an impasse.
EBC: PNM won THA election popular vote
Tuesday 26 January 2021
PNM Tobago Council political leader Tracy Davidson-Celestine at PNM headquarters in Scarborough on Monday. PHOTO BY JEFF MAYERS -
The Elections and Boundaries Commission (EBC) has confirmed that the People s National Movement (PNM) won the popular vote in Monday s Tobago House of Assembly (THA) election. The party stunningly tied 6-6 with the Progressive Democratic Patriots (PDP).
PDP s political leader Watson Duke and deputy leader Farley Augustine have claimed their party won the popular vote and despite the tied result, should be allowed to govern the THA as they enjoyed the majority of support from the electorate.