Government names date for by-election

PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad, CMC – Prime Minister Kamla Persad Bissessar Thursday announced July 29 as the date for the by-election in Chaguanas West, almost two months after her embattled national security minister Austin “Jack” Warner resigned on April 26. Warner, who had also submitted his resignation as the chairman of the United National Congress (UNC), the biggest member in the four-party coalition People’s Partnership government, is however not a certainty to contest the election on behalf of the party. Prime Minister Persad Bissessar told Parliament that she had arrived at the date after holding talks with members of the Muslim community that had expressed some concerns that the by-election would be held during the Holy month of Ramadan.