VOTERS have mixed views on incumbent PNM and UNC MPs contesting the April 28 general election.
This was one of the findings of an ongoing survey being conducted by the North American Caribbean Teachers Association (NACTA)
NACTA said ,"Incumbency could be a critical factor in voter turnout for the April 28 election (and the outcome) as apathy is widespread with voters complaining about the representation (performance and likability ratings) of most incumbents irrespective of party affiliation."
Prime Minister Stuart Young, Opposition Leader Kamla Persad-Bissessar, Planning Minister Pennelope Beckles Robinson, Public Utilities Minister Colm Imbert, Dr Roodal Moonilal, Rushton Paray and Anita Haynes-Alleyne are among the incumbent MPs who voters view as having represented their constituencies well.
The survey, NACTA continued, finds that although those chosen for re-election will not encounter difficulty in winning traditional ‘safe’ seats, they are not exciting constituents with lower turnout projected and their winning re-election with less support than in 2020.
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"Some incumbents are extremely unpopular, and voters are pleased that a few are not seeking re-election. Voters would have preferred to see the back of more of them."
NACTA said it was smart politics for former prime minister Dr Keith Rowley to demit office, boosting the electoral prospect of the PNM.
"Voters would have liked to see more new faces in PNM camp, giving the party a near completely fresh look aside from the mere change of the prime minister and the appointment of a ‘non-political’ minister of finance."
But NACTA added Young's high energy on the campaign trail is generating enthusiasm among voters.
Finance Minister Vishnu Dhanpaul is the only government minister with 100 per cent approval from voters in respect of the government ministers sworn in on March 17, when Young was sworn in as prime minister.
NACTA said, "Voters regret that his lame duck status does not give him time to leave any mark on the economy so as to judge his performance."
With respect to the UNC, NACTA continued, the party could see supporters withholding votes if certain incumbents are not picked.
Paray and Haynes-Alleyne are two such incumbents for Mayaro and Tabaquite respectively.
The UNC has chosen eight candidates to date. Saddam Hosein (Barataria/San Juan) and Vandana Mohit (Chaguanas East) are the only UNC incumbent MPs chosen so far.
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NACTA said, "Non-selection of Haynes and Parray could divide UNC base nationally as a significant number of supporters said they will withhold their vote if Parray and Haynes are not returned as candidates in their constituencies."
UNC MPS Paray, Haynes-Alleyne, Dinesh Rambally, Dr Rai Ragbir and Rodney Charles have publicly questioned Persad-Bissessar's ability to lead the party to victory on April 28.
Rambally and Ragbir have withdrawn their nominations to be considered as candidates for Chaguanas West and Cumuto/Manzanilla respectively.
NACTA said if Paray is not selected to contest Mayaro or contests it as an independent candidate, it could give the PNM a chance to win the constituency.
"On anti-incumbency, voters bemoan some offering themselves for re-election."
NACTA said voters see several UNC incumbents having negatives hanging over their heads.
"It is the view of constituents and voters nationwide that those MPs with scandals over their head should not be offered a seat."
UNC supporters, NACTA continued, have identified Jayanti Lutchmedial-Ramdial, Vasanth Bharath and Kevin Ramnarine among those who "should be offered to contest a traditional seat as they will bolster the prospects of the party."
