By Sue-Ann Wayow

CANDIDATES representing the major political parties for the April 28 General Election filed their nomination papers by the deadline of 3 pm on Friday.

In press releases issued, both the United National Congress (UNC) and the People’s National Movement (PNM) stated that all their candidates successfully filed their nominations.

The UNC-led Coalition of Interests fielded 39 candidates while the PNM filed nominations for all 41 seats – 39 in Trinidad and two in Tobago.

PNM’s General Secretary Foster Cummings in the PNM’s media release stated that all the candidates supported by their election agents and campaign managers, arrived at the assigned Office of the Returning Officer and without challenges, filed his/her nomination for candidacy.

Cummings stated, “The PNM is committed to providing representation and good governance, and takes no citizen for granted– regardless of geographical location, educational background, economic standing, ethnicity or otherwise. It is on this premise that the PNM has yet again offered a PNM candidate to every single voter in every single constituency in Trinidad and Tobago.   The PNM continues to be the only true national party in Trinidad and Tobago, resolute in its dedication to every citizen of this great land.”

Cummings himself is the PNM candidate for La Horquetta/Talparo.

Nomination Day was filled with hype and pomp as supporters of the varying parties took to the streets to show their support.

While music trucks, tassa drummers, flag bearers and moko jumbies accompanied the crowd, candidates could be seen greeting constituents and even opponents as they made their way to and from the nomination offices.

In Aranguez/St Joseph, National Transformation Alliance (NTA) political leader Gary Griffith was seen hugging and dancing with PNM’s Aranguez/St  Joseph candidate Terrence Deyalsingh.

For the Couva North constituency, former UNC MP Ravi Ratiram was seen supporting incumbent candidate Jearlean John.

Patriotic Front political leader Mickela Pandey described the nomination process as “easy peasy”  while speaking to the media.

In Claxton Bay, Patriotic Front candidate Thelston Jagoo told AZP News the process went smoothly.

He added, “I have been honoured to be given the opportunity to contest and be the standard bearer for my political party in this constituency and I couldn’t be more proud.

The Patriotic Front will be contesting in 37 constituencies in the general election.

PNM candidate for Claxton Bay Mukesh Ramsingh also spoke with AZP News.

He said, “The process was very smooth, I had lots of support from the constituency. For me, it is a very humbling experience and I am proud to be a part of the People’s National Movement and I am proud to be part of this election process and proud to be part of the Trinidad and Tobago’s democratic process.”

NTA’s candidate for Diego Martin West Marsha Walker proudly showed her nomination slip after filing.

She advocated, “Now is the time for transformation. Let us transform Diego Martin West together.”

And in Tobago, the PNM supporters clashed with the Tobago People Party as the colours red and blue filled the streets.