TIGHT WIN *
PNM grabs local government elections; UNC gains one corporationhttp://www.trinidadexpress.com/20161129/news/lowest-voter-turnout-on-recordTHE People's National Movement (PNM) won 83 of the 137 seats in the local government elections, against the United National Congress' (UNC) 54.
In terms of control of the 14 corporations, the PNM won seven, the UNC six, with a four-four tie in the Sangre Grande Regional Corporation.
“That is licking,” PNM chairman Franklin Khan declared at Balisier House, Port of Spain, last night. “As we promised Kamla Persad-Bissessar eight consecutive lickings, we have delivered.”
However, the fact that the UNC won the popular vote from the preliminary count means that the PNM and its leader, Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley's vow on Sunday to wipe out UNC political leader Persad-Bissessar, beating her in every corner of the country, fell short.
The result means that the UNC increased the number of seats it won across the board, from 46 seats in the last local government election (2013) to 54 seats.
The PNM, which had won 84 seats in 2013, had a net loss of one seat.
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