“ACCEPT me as a woman and don’t mistake my kindness, compassion and feminine energy as weakness,” declared Sarah Sookdeo, the candidate for the electoral district of Quinam/Morne Diablo.

Sookdeo made her debut on the United National Congress (UNC) platform in Penal on in the night on May 20.

The UNC launched its campaign for the June 17 local government by-elections in Lengua/Indian Walk and Quinam/Morne Diablo, introducing its two candidates – Nicole Gopaul and Sara Sookdeo.

The two made their debut at the Penal Secondary School cottage meeting, confidently declaring they would bring home the respective districts to the UNC.

The People’s National Movement (PNM) has recommended Autly Granthume and Anderson Nanan as their candidates for the two districts.

Both Gopaul and Granthume will do battle for a second time in the Lengua/Indian Walk district, as the August 14, 2023, local government elections ended in a draw after two recounts.

[caption id="attachment_1084855" align="alignnone" width="1024"] UNC suppporters wave flags at a cottage meeting at Penal Secondary School on May 20. - Photo by Angelo Marcelle[/caption]

After the recounting of ballots, Granthume initially received 1,430 votes while Gopaul amassed 1,425. The results were challenged. It ended with a tie between the two candidates for 1,428 each, as the returning officer rejected a special ballot, which would have broken the tie, in favour of Gopaul. The returning officer had not signed the special ballot .

This led to the UNC's filing an election petition to stop the by-election and give the seat to its candidate.

In March the Appeal Court dismissed the UNC’s petition and ruled that the Representation of the People Act allowed the rejection of the special ballot.

The Quinam/Morne Diablo seat was declared vacant after the death of its councillor, Penal/Debe Regional Corporation chairman Diptee Ramnath, last December.

May 24 is nomination day for these by-elections.

As she mounted the platform, Gopaul expressed gratitude for another opportunity to represent the Lengua/Indian Walk district.

She promised on this occasion she would be declared the unmistakable champion, as she has been on the ground working to demonstrate both people and party power come June 17.

In a fiery debut, Sookdeo declared she was coming with clasped and clean hands as she has been eager to serve God and humanity.

Despite this expressionof humanitarian spirit and compassion, she gave notice of her readiness to take a stand against the government which she said had people living in pain and with no peace.

Joblessness among the majority and the worse crime situation that had people living their lives as if they were in prison had to stop, she said.

People deserved better and Quinam/Morne Diablo could take the first step in bringing about change by voting for the UNC.

[caption id="attachment_1084856" align="alignnone" width="1024"] UNC political leader Kamla Persad-Bissessar, greet supporters at a cottage meeting at Penal Secondary School on May 2