Port of Spain, Trinidad (CMC) — A debate between Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar and Opposition Leader Dr Keith Rowley, has been postponed.
In a letter dated July 3, Lorraine O’Connor, a member of the Trinidad and Tobago Debates Commission (TTDC) wrote to attorney Larry Lalla, stating that the July 30 debate was not possible.
Lalla noted that the date was fixed following meetings with the negotiators for the prime minister and Rowley.
He also stated that this news was deeply disappointing .
“Given that the TTDC is not now able to fulfil its commitment to hold a debate on the date fixed, it is surely now time for the debate to be organised by other organisations.”
He said the public deserves the opportunity to hear the prime minister and “the only other contender” (Rowley) debate their policies in a transparent and timely way.
The commission’s Chief Executive Officer Catherine Kumar told TV6 News on Saturday that the July 30 date was designated prior to the announcement by the Elections and Boundaries Commission (EBC) of August 17 as Nomination Day, ahead of the September 7 general election.
She said the commission still plans to have two debates but can’t do that before Nomination Day, and if the events were to take place, “they probably may be closer to each other”.
Kumar said discussions are continuing with the two parties with a view to working out the possibility of having the debates come off.