Nomination Day in Tobago

Lead Editor–Politics

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Seeking to avoid a repeat of clashes that marred Nomination Day during the April 28 General Election, the major political parties contesting the Tobago House of Assembly (THA) elections on January 12 have urged their supporters to conduct themselves appropriately during today’s Nomination Day process.

The Elections and Boundaries Commission (EBC) is also hoping for an orderly process today.

Nominations for all prospective candidates will be filed at four locations across the island—the Calder Hall Multi-Purpose Facility, Lambeau Multi-Purpose Facility, Buccoo Multi-Purpose Facility and Glamorgan Multi-Purpose Facility.

On April 4, during Nomination Day for the 2025 General Election, there was a tense moment between supporters of the Tobago People’s Party (TPP) and People’s National Movement (PNM), forcing police to intervene.

Guardian Media reached out to both the TPP and PNM yesterday to ascertain if any words of caution were issued to members to avoid a recurrence.

TPP chairperson Ann Natasha Second said, “I’ve given the instructions that we are to proceed with discipline and the core of our mandate, abide by all of the tenets of the law. We don’t have to engage in those things and it will not be tolerated.”

She added, “Each group would have their different individual leaders. Our intention is to make sure that we maintain control. You know when rum drinking and so on, anything can play. We’re not supposed to have clashes based on our rigid timelines arranged with the police and our instructions and our general management of the groups on the day.”

Asked about the party’s readiness for today, the TPP chair said, “We’re hyped up, we’re pumped up, we’ve mobilised and we’re ready.”

The same question about maintaining order today was put to People’s National Movement Tobago Council leader Ancil Dennis.

Dennis replied, “That’s obviously the intention. I’ve continuously said on the platform that we’re going to be conducting a clean campaign based on the issues and based on what we’ve been looking forward to in terms of improved quality of life and so on.

“Based on what I’ve seen from the schedule, the TPP will be starting off in the East, so I don’t expect there to be any clashes at any of the venues like what happened the last time for the General Election. We’re not going to be having any alcohol, so I just hope that that will not be the situation with any drinking and so on that could cause people to behave in any manner that is unbecoming, not just of the PNM but of the people of Tobago. We are a peaceful people.”

He added, “We have some of our leaders here, unfortunately, that will sow seeds of discord and seeds of hatred, but by and large, Tobagonians are a peaceful, loving people, and that is the kind of environment that we are interested in conducting this election and managing our process in going forward.”

The PNM will face a task in attempting to overturn its 14–1 defeat in December 2021. Asked about the mood within the party’s camp, Dennis said they are confident and prepared.

“We are ready. We are accustomed to this process for every election, so we are quite prepared for tomorrow,” he said.

Dennis pointed out, however, that there was a minor issue with the EBC regarding the use of a commissioner of affidavits instead of a justice of the peace, but said the matter has since been resolved.

Both the PNM and TPP will be fielding 15 candidates each.

The TPP has promised to lead Tobago towards gaining autonomy and to be included in national security matters.

The PNM, meanwhile, has accused the TPP of putting Tobagonians in danger by supporting the installation of a military radar on the island at a time of heightened tensions between Venezuela and the United States.

The party has vowed to remove the radar if elected into office.

Yesterday, the Innovative Democratic Alliance (IDA), led by Dr Denise Tsoiafatt-Angus, confirmed it was still working out its final candidate list. The party has so far named 11 candidates but there may be a 12th today.

Speaking yesterday to Guardian Media, however, the IDA leader was not optimistic that the necessary process could be completed in time.

“He tried to get vacation time off to go. And they have refused this vacation time. So, we’re trying to work around it to see whether he’s going to take pay without leave. So, we’re trying to see how we could support him with that.”

Tsoiafatt-Angus said people underestimate her party but she pointed out that they made the difference in the last THA election.

During that election, the IDA caused upsets in three districts.

In Buccoo/Mt Pleasant, the Progressive Democratic Patriots (PDP) beat the PNM by four votes, with the IDA capturing 30 votes in that district.

Meanwhile, in Darrel Spring/Whim, the PNM defeated the PDP by three votes, with the IDA getting 18. In Signal Hill/Patience Hill, the PDP won by 21 votes, with the IDA getting 26.

EBC hopes for

smooth process

EBC chief elections officer Fern Narcis says the commission is ready for today’s process.

“The Elections and Boundaries Commission (EBC) is fully prepared to receive and process nomination papers of prospective candidates on Nomination Day, tomorrow, Friday 19th December, 2025, in accordance with the provisions of the Representation of the People Act,” Narcis said yesterday.

She added, “In preparation for Nomination Day, a number of prospective candidates availed themselves of the opportunity to have their nomination papers pre-examined by returning officers last Friday, 12th December, as well as during the intervening days leading up to Nomination Day. This pre-examination process is a legislated administrative facilitation offered by the EBC to assist prospective candidates in ensuring that their nomination papers are properly completed and compliant with the statutory requirements ahead of formal submission.

“The EBC looks forward to a smooth and orderly nomination process tomorrow. The commission remains committed to the efficient, transparent, and impartial conduct of the electoral process and assures the public that all necessary arrangements are in place to support the successful execution of Nomination Day.”

Guardian Media visited each of the four nomination offices and was told at each location that everything was in order.

Forty-four candidates are expected to file nomination papers today.

Three parties are fielding a single candidate each—the Class Action Reform Movement (CARM), with political leader Richard Phillip contesting Buccoo/Mt Pleasant; Unity of the People, led by Nikocy Phillip, also contesting Buccoo/Mt Pleasant; and the Tobago Liberation Movement, whose candidate Anthony James is vying for the Belle Garden/Glamorgan district.

Watson Duke’s PDP, which won the election in December 2021, before members left to form the TPP, has thrown his support behind Farley Augustine’s party.

According to the EBC, the electorate in the 15 electoral districts in Tobago rose from 51,216 to 52,857.

The EBC recently recommended name changes for two electoral districts. Mason Hall/Moriah became Mason Hall North/Moriah. And Bagatelle/Bacolet became Mason Hall South/Bagatelle.

In December 2021, 56.97 per cent of the total electorate cast their votes.