Chaguanas West by-election:July 29

Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar announced Thursday that the Chaguanas West by-election will be held on July 29.

Persad-Bissessar revealed the date during an early morning press conference, following the debate on the Financial (Supplementary Appropriation) motion in Parliament.

Speaker of the House of Representatives, Wade Mark, declared the Chaguanas West seat vacant on May 10, more than a week after Jack Warner resigned as Member of Parliament.

Section 69 (3) of the Constitution states "where a vacancy occurs in the House of Representatives within the first four years of the life of the Parliament, a by-election shall be held to fill such vacancy not later than 90 days from the date of the announcement by the Speaker of the vacancy." 

This means the by-election had to take place before August 8. 

Warner resigned as Minister of National Security and UNC chairman on April 21. 

He announced his resignation as Chaguanas West MP at a public meeting in Charlieville four days later. 

Warner filed an application to be nominated as the candidate for the Chaguanas West by-election at UNC headquarters, Rienzi Complex, Couva, on May 23.

He said should he not be selected as a UNC candidate, he would keep his options open. 

UNC interim chairman Khadijah Ameen said seven persons have filed nominations, as potential candidates in the Chaguanas West by-election.

On Monday, Ameen said screening of candidates would begin after the prime minister announces the election date.

Source:trinidadexpress