Caption: Farai Hove Masaisai
ATTORNEY Farai Hove Masaisai, who led the People’s Champion’s slate in the recent People’s National Movement (PNM) internal elections, has officially resigned from the PNM General Council.
Masaisai ran for the position of party chairman in the PNM’s June 22 internal election. He was unsuccessful in his bid, losing out to Member of Parliament for Arouca/Lopinot Marvin Gozales.
On Thursday, Masaisai released his resignation letter to the media, after there was speculation that he had planned on leaving the general council.
In his letter, addressed to PNM General Secretary Foster Cummings and dated June 25, Masaisai said, “The lack of transparency and accountability by the elections supervisory committee to candidates that we not of the “One Team” was not in keeping with any standard of fairness in any democratic society.”
He added, “My team and I will continue to work on the ground for the sake of the people of Trinidad and Tobago. I wish all those who have won their respective positions the very best.”
On the day of the internal election, Masaisai and his slate made a series of complaints regarding irregularities on voting day.
St. Clair O’Neil, a member of Masaisai’s People’s Champion slate, complained that there was a lack of transparency within the voting process and alleged unregistered members were being allowed to vote.
Masaisai’s resignation coincided with a press conference held by PNM Political Leader Penelope Beckles, General Secretary Foster Cummings and MP for Diego Martin North East Colm Imbert.
Imbert said all members who contested were important and valuable members of the PNM and despite their loss still had a part to play in the restrengthening the party.
Beckles added that both Imbert and herself had lost internal elections over their career, and while it was disappointing, it did not stop them from working towards building a better PNM.
Both Imbert and Beckles stated the elections were free and fair, with Beckles calling for a time of healing within the party.
