AN election in Trinidad and Tobago has always been an interesting, yet predictable event.

Not only does it provide excitement and entertainment, but it highlights our political immaturity as a nation.

Perhaps, it is for the best.

Given the postponement of the local government election, the accelerated amount of road paving, an earlier-than-usual budget and a non-existent and ineffective opposition to the government, elections constitutionally due no later than January 2008 is expected to be held in November 2006.

Latest intelligence and other “coincidental” signs indicate that the Prime Minister along with his “Spiritual Advisor” have determined that later this year is a very auspicious time to hold an election.

Most politicians in Trinidad and Tobago speak about representing the people, but it is the same people who they seem to render powerless especially when they gain access to walk the corridors of power.

It is expected, though, that with the electorate ambivalent to the machinations of local politicians, the voter turnout will be much lower than that of the October 2002 election.

The problems within the opposition parties only serve to render Trinidad and Tobago a one party state.

The United National Congress (UNC) is in complete disarray, with dual leadership, talk of “cabal” and People’s National Movement (PNM) financiers supporting one faction, the opposition party presents no challenge to the ruling PNM.

Many doubt Kamla Persad-Bissessar’s ability to lead the party to victory and to attract the non-aligned voter.

Some question Winston Dookeran’s ability to provide strong leadership and pose the question -- “If he can’t even stand up to a challenge from within his own party, how can he expect to be victorious over the PNM?”

The other opposition parties currently have no base, and it is questionable whether they can attract any sizeable following in time for the next election to make an impact.

The Democratic National Alliance has collapsed and we now have the National Democratic Alliance.

SATISH
RAMROOP

DIANE
SEUKERAN

KAMLA
PERSAD-
BISSESSAR

CHRISTINE
SAHADEO

WINSTON
DOOKERAN

The Democratic Party of Trinidad and Tobago, the Movement for National Development and the Democratic National Assembly only possess token support, and even if there is an alliance of opposition parties closer to the election, the electorate and politicians themselves may be extremely pessimistic as to its viability.

All that aside, this doesn’t mean that the PNM is without problems.

In fact, the election was originally set for next year to give the ruling party time to get its act together.

The St. Joseph and Barataria constituencies are in a mess.

Bickering and backbiting have reared their ugly heads in many constituencies in Central and Southern Trinidad.

Most troubling for the ruling party is the incessant race war that is taking place.

There is a major split within the party based on race.

The East Indians have been marginalised and the “black caucus” has reasserted its ascendancy.

Just ask Christine Sahadeo who had been known to have the “ear” of the Prime Minister and Satish Ramroop and Diane Seukeran who have entered the “political doghouse.”

Keith Rowley, Colm Imbert and Fitzgerald Hinds have been in the doghouse for a while -- that is no secret.

There is also speculation that Anthony Roberts will also join them.

As such, the ruling party has its problems, but all things aside, it is expected that they will win the election comfortably, if all things remain constant.

Some even fear that the PNM may get enough seats to secure a special majority in terms of changing the constitution.

Most would prefer that this does not happen, but such is life.

The population can take comfort in the fact that on the occasions when a party had a special majority, no grave attempt was made to alter the constitution in any serious way.

Following the 1971 no-vote campaign and the landslide victory of the NAR in 1986, we can only hope that this pattern will continue.

However, if the opposition parties do not get their act together, Trinidad and Tobago is slowly but definitely heading towards a one party state. Regardless of how much money is pumped into the campaign by FIFA Vice-President Jack Warner, if the electorate does not view the opposition as a credible alternative, they will just stay at home and as they say “count their losses.”

In this article, there is a message for all sides: Think about the people first.

Egotism and indiscipline have no place in securing the interest of the peoples of this great nation.

The collective good must have priority over any personal gain or aggrandisement.

If they care about the people so much, then listen to them.

Think about the children and their future.

It is in your hands!