Over to voters

THE POLITICIANS and pollsters have had their say. Now, it’s the people’s turn.Today, 1 040 011 registered voters in Trinidad and Tobago are expected to go to the polls to elect a new government nearly three years after the last general election.And by midnight all should know whether the ruling People’s National Movement (PNM) has retained power, or whether the People’s Partnership (PP) coalition has taken control.Pollsters suggest it will be a close race. They say that the traditional safe seats of both parties should be retained, and victory in this snap election will hinge on what voters decide in at least ten marginal seats.Up to last night, many people were still claiming to be undecided, but based on the 2007 election results the coalition cannot be discounted as the combined votes of the United National Congress, which is led by opposition leader Kamla Persad-Bissessar, and the Congress of the People (COP) in five of these ten seats is higher than that of the PNM votes, while in three others less than 200 votes separated them. If the PP can retain that base and the PNM is unable to encourage their supporters to come out to vote, then the results may not be as close as suggested.To the PNM’s credit, they seem to have been able to energise their supporters, particularly this last week. However, more than one political analyst believes the PP may have peaked too early. Based on the numbers and the enthusiasm at Saturday’s rallies, though, they may have done enough to stimulate their separate electoral bases while attracting swing voters.With rain expected to be a factor in some parts of the country today, both parties’ transportation teams would need to get voters to the polls early. For much of yesterday on radio, public service broadcasts outlined the “dos and don’ts” for polling day and the penalties for disobeying them.Despite early morning showers across much of the country yesterday, quite a few candidates held motorcades to meet and greet residents in their respective constituencies. Persad-Bissessar, who criss-crossed her hilly rural riding of Siparia, about 32 miles south of Port-of-Spain in an open back van, had the largest by far with just over a two-mile long convoy.It is understood Prime Minister Patrick Manning attended church, then later took part in strategy meetings.Otherwise yesterday, much of the battle to sway voters was conducted via television and radio with party political broadcasts and advertisements. One issue that continues to be hotly debated by all is the PP’s manifesto promise to scrap restrictions to get an old age pension and to lower the pensionable age from 65 to 60. Pension will be TT$3 000 (just under BDS$1 000 monthly).Dr Amery Browne, Minister of Social Welfare, on Saturday described the proposal as “brainless” and said it would bankrupt the entire social welfare system.“Kamla, that is not only mission impossible, it is mission irresponsible,”he warned.Economists interviewed by one newspaper here said the proposal, intended to improve the standard of living for thousands, would bankrupt the country with a pay-out of TT$4.8 billion in the first year.By midnight we should know whether this promise, along with several other attractive ones, will sway voters or convince them to stay with the PNM.