January 25, 2021
PNM Loses Arima Seat In Bye-Election
The United National Congress has won the Arima Centrl seat formerly held by the People’s National Movement, claiming a total of three of the five seats up for grabs in Monday’s local government bye-election.
The UNC’s Sheldon Garcia will become the new Councillor for the district.
The UNC also retained the Cunupia and Hindustan/ St. seats, with the PNM taking Morne Coco/Alyce Glen and Hollywood, Point Fortin.
In a statement on her official social media, Opposition Leader Kamla Persad Bissessar celebrated what she referred to as a victory.
“Tonight, our great party claimed three of the five local government electoral districts. Thank you to all those who worked tirelessly over the past weeks to ensure this victory came to fruition. The people came out in their numbers to support the UNC as we continue to fight for them and on behalf of them in every possible arena,” she wrote.
While the Arima Central win is an extra seat for the UNC, the PNM remains in control on the local government front, given the seat does not change the control of any of the 14 municipal corporations.