IT’S important to understand the political process in Trinidad and Tobago especially for young people.
Understanding how it works, why your vote matters, and how you can influence the future of your country are the reasons why people vote.
It’s also important for young people to understand that elections are more than just an event, they are a chance for every citizen to shape their future and of the nation’s direction. One of the major political players in the country is the United National Congress (UNC), and understanding their role in the political system is crucial to making informed choices for your future.
The government in Trinidad and Tobago is supposed to operate as a parliamentary democracy, that is where the people elect representatives who make decisions on their behalf. The country’s parliament consists of two houses – the House of Representatives and the Senate. Citizens vote for members of the House of Representatives, while the President appoints senators, such as independent senators, opposition senators on advice of the opposition leader and government senators on the advice of the prime minister. The political party that wins the most seats in the House forms the government, and their leader becomes the prime minister.
Young citizens 18 and over are eligible to vote and it’s important that they exercise their franchise and that means voting for the party of their choice including the UNC and smaller parties. Although the individual parties have different policies and visions for the country, one must strike a common ground with their views. Voting is the best way for you to say which vision you want to see enacted.
For the sake of your future you must vote because the decisions made by the government affect every part of your life, your education, your healthcare, the jobs you may be eligible for, the type of housing, the national security and the environment.
By voting, you ensure that a proper leader is chosen that can make decisions that will impact your future. So as a young person, you have the most to gain or lose pertaining to how the country is run over the next few decades. You can be the change that will bring in a better government.
If you don’t vote, you allow others to decide your future. I get the feeling that young people feel like their vote doesn’t count, but that’s simply not true. Every single vote counts, and if young people don’t vote, they can miss having the change they desire and the opportunity to bring a new perspectives, new ideas to the forefront of politics.
We want accountability not dictatorship. Voting is how you hold the people we place in power accountable. If you want a genuinely caring leader you must vote for them. Someone who cares about issues like jobs, education, the crime crisis, housing for all and healthcare is what we all want. That is why you must vote for candidates who have a track record of addressing the problems and living up to their promises. Without your vote, you allow people to become leaders, people who don’t care about your values to lead this country. People who only care about their friends and families.
The United National Congress (UNC) is one of the best political parties that has consistently fought for policies that benefit the youths of our nation and the working class. The UNC has historically focused on giving laptops to secondary schools, advocating for GATE for students in Tertiary education, focusing on economic growth, creating jobs, and improving infrastructure. These areas are essential for young people as they enter the country’s workforce.
Here are some reasons why voting for the UNC could be a positive step for you as a young person:
1. They focus on jobs and supplementing the cost of education. The UNC has often put economic development in the forefront, with policies aimed at creating job opportunities and supporting the cost for funding students education. Young people faces many financial challenges in affording education and in finding employment, therefore voting for a party that places a high priority on job creation and funding tertiary education could help secure your financial future. The UNC has a strong track record of supporting education. For young people looking to further their studies or gain vocational training, the UNC’s policies have always bern geared to support this track.
3. The UNC has always been vocal about empowering the young people through youth development programs and community development programs. They consistently have encouraged youth participation in shaping the nation’s future and have many young member of parliaments in the house.
4. We are all affected by poor infrastructure but young people in Trinidad and Tobago are even more so, because of bad roads, frequent flooding in their areas, or unreliable public transport they are affected tremendously to get to and from their schools and raise themselves out of poverty. The UNC has consistently stuck to their promises when in power to improve infrastructure, which could significantly enhance the quality of life for young people.
5. We all are looking for a change in leadership after these ten years of political stagnation and poor governance. The UNC has a strong history to support the citizens and it is the only alternative to the PNM, focusing on innovation and technology with new ideas and a different perspective for Trinidad and Tobago. If you too want a change, the UNC represents that change!
Voting is just the first step. I know there are a lot of passionate young people willing to step up and make a difference and that’s why I’m urging you to take that first step and vote. Vote the PNM out. It’s time to join the conversation in whatever manner. On various social media platforms is a good start which can also be a powerful tool for political engagement. Share your thoughts, engage in debates, and encourage others to vote.
Get involved as you can volunteer with political parties or civil organizations working to bring out voters to make a difference.
Your finger can be Your Voice!
The future of Trinidad and Tobago is in your hands. Voting for the UNC, which is committed to addressing the issues is a major step in the right direction to ensure that your voices are heard. Vote for change and vote for your voices to be heard!
Neil Gosine is an insurance executive, sometimes a temporary Opposition Senator, an ex-treasurer of the UNC and a former chairman of the National Petroleum Marketing Company of Trinidad and Tobago (NP). He holds a Doctorate in Business Administration, a Master’s in Business Administration MBA, BSC in Mathematics and a BA in Administrative Studies. The views and comments expressed in this column are not necessarily those of AZP News, a Division of Complete Image Limited
The Importance of Young People Voting
AZP News Commentary
IT’S important to understand the political process in Trinidad and Tobago especially for young people.
Understanding how it works, why your vote matters, and how you can influence the future of your country are the reasons why people vote.
It’s also important for young people to understand that elections are more than just an event, they are a chance for every citizen to shape their future and of the nation’s direction. One of the major political players in the country is the United National Congress (UNC), and understanding their role in the political system is crucial to making informed choices for your future.
The government in Trinidad and Tobago is supposed to operate as a parliamentary democracy, that is where the people elect representatives who make decisions on their behalf. The country’s parliament consists of two houses – the House of Representatives and the Senate. Citizens vote for members of the House of Representatives, while the President appoints senators, such as independent senators, opposition senators on advice of the opposition leader and government senators on the advice of the prime minister. The political party that wins the most seats in the House forms the government, and their leader becomes the prime minister.
Young citizens 18 and over are eligible to vote and it’s important that they exercise their franchise and that means voting for the party of their choice including the UNC and smaller parties. Although the individual parties have different policies and visions for the country, one must strike a common ground with their views. Voting is the best way for you to say which vision you want to see enacted.
For the sake of your future you must vote because the decisions made by the government affect every part of your life, your education, your healthcare, the jobs you may be eligible for, the type of housing, the national security and the environment.
By voting, you ensure that a proper leader is chosen that can make decisions that will impact your future. So as a young person, you have the most to gain or lose pertaining to how the country is run over the next few decades. You can be the change that will bring in a better government.
If you don’t vote, you allow others to decide your future. I get the feeling that young people feel like their vote doesn’t count, but that’s simply not true. Every single vote counts, and if young people don’t vote, they can miss having the change they desire and the opportunity to bring a new perspectives, new ideas to the forefront of politics.
We want accountability not dictatorship. Voting is how you hold the people we place in power accountable. If you want a genuinely caring leader you must vote for them. Someone who cares about issues like jobs, education, the crime crisis, housing for all and healthcare is what we all want. That is why you must vote for candidates who have a track record of addressing the problems and living up to their promises. Without your vote, you allow people to become leaders, people who don’t care about your values to lead this country. People who only care about their friends and families.
The United National Congress (UNC) is one of the best political parties that has consistently fought for policies that benefit the youths of our nation and the working class. The UNC has historically focused on giving laptops to secondary schools, advocating for GATE for students in Tertiary education, focusing on economic growth, creating jobs, and improving infrastructure. These areas are essential for young people as they enter the country’s workforce.
Here are some reasons why voting for the UNC could be a positive step for you as a young person:
1. They focus on jobs and supplementing the cost of education. The UNC has often put economic development in the forefront, with policies aimed at creating job opportunities and supporting the cost for funding students education. Young people faces many financial challenges in affording education and in finding employment, therefore voting for a party that places a high priority on job creation and funding tertiary education could help secure your financial future. The UNC has a strong track record of supporting education. For young people looking to further their studies or gain vocational training, the UNC’s policies have always bern geared to support this track.
3. The UNC has always been vocal about empowering the young people through youth development programs and community development programs. They consistently have encouraged youth participation in shaping the nation’s future and have many young member of parliaments in the house.
4. We are all affected by poor infrastructure but young people in Trinidad and Tobago are even more so, because of bad roads, frequent flooding in their areas, or unreliable public transport they are affected tremendously to get to and from their schools and raise themselves out of poverty. The UNC has consistently stuck to their promises when in power to improve infrastructure, which could significantly enhance the quality of life for young people.
5. We all are looking for a change in leadership after these ten years of political stagnation and poor governance. The UNC has a strong history to support the citizens and it is the only alternative to the PNM, focusing on innovation and technology with new ideas and a different perspective for Trinidad and Tobago. If you too want a change, the UNC represents that change!
Voting is just the first step. I know there are a lot of passionate young people willing to step up and make a difference and that’s why I’m urging you to take that first step and vote. Vote the PNM out. It’s time to join the conversation in whatever manner. On various social media platforms is a good start which can also be a powerful tool for political engagement. Share your thoughts, engage in debates, and encourage others to vote.
Get involved as you can volunteer with political parties or civil organizations working to bring out voters to make a difference.
Your finger can be Your Voice!
The future of Trinidad and Tobago is in your hands. Voting for the UNC, which is committed to addressing the issues is a major step in the right direction to ensure that your voices are heard. Vote for change and vote for your voices to be heard!
Neil Gosine is an insurance executive, sometimes a temporary Opposition Senator, an ex-treasurer of the UNC and a former chairman of the National Petroleum Marketing Company of Trinidad and Tobago (NP). He holds a Doctorate in Business Administration, a Master’s in Business Administration MBA, BSC in Mathematics and a BA in Administrative Studies. The views and comments expressed in this column are not necessarily those of AZP News, a Division of Complete Image Limited