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News > World

T&T Government Nominates First Female Presidential Candidate

  • Prime Minister Dr. Keith Rowley and Opposition Leader Kamla Persad Bissessar met to discuss the nominees.

    Prime Minister Dr. Keith Rowley and Opposition Leader Kamla Persad Bissessar met to discuss the nominees. | Photo: Twitter @OPM_TT

Published 5 January 2018
Opinion

Opposition Party members will announce their nominee by Monday morning, Trinidadian officials said.

Justice Paula Mae Weekes has become the first woman to be nominated for the post of President in Trinidad and Tobago. Weekes was announced as the Government's nominee for the post today ahead of the expiration of current President Anthony Carmona´s term in office in March.

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Prime Minister Dr. Keith Rowley and Opposition Leader Kamla Persad Bissessar met to discuss the nominees in Port of Spain on Friday morning. According to Minister Stuart Young who met with members of the media shortly after the meeting was highly productive.

“Madame Justice Paula Mae Weekes, I am sure the population will be aware, has had a very sterling, stellar career as a jurist in Trinidad and Tobago rising to the highest level which is the Court of Appeal in Trinidad and Tobago where she served for approximately 11 years as a Court of Appeal judge,” the minister told media personnel.

Opposition Party members have yet to announce their candidate. However, Young said they expect to have an answer by Monday morning.

“The Leader of the Opposition has asked for some time quite properly so to go back and caucus with her Opposition members. I can say without fear of contradiction that her reaction to the Government’s nominee was a very positive one and a very buoyant one,” Young said.

The minister also alluded to the possibility of incumbent president Anthony Carmona attempting a second term.

The electoral process will continue with the Electoral College weighing in and casting a secret ballot on January 19. Young says he hopes Weekes will win with a unanimous election.

Trinidad’s Electoral College is composed of 10 senators, the House Speaker, and 12 members of the House of Representatives.

To run for president, candidates must be nominated, and be a citizen of Trinidad and Tobago and a resident in the country for 10 years over the age of 35.

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