New Parline: the IPU’s Open Data Platform (beta)
Your one-stop-shop for information about national parliaments
New Parline: the IPU’s Open Data Platform (beta)
Your one-stop-shop for information about national parliaments
Trinidad and Tobago
-House of Representatives
This is a bicameral parliament. Switch to theSenate
Election results
Data on parliamentary elections, including the background, candidates, voter turnout, results and the formation of the new legislature. By default the latest election results are displayed. Select a date to view results from previous elections
Background
Election date(s)
The date when elections started and ended for directly or indirectly elected parliaments/chambers. The date of appointments for appointed parliaments/chambers.
07.09.2015
Date of dissolution of the outgoing legislature
Date at which the previous legislature (elected at the previous elections) was dissolved.
17.06.2015
Timing of election
Timing of election: Upon normal expiry; Early elections; Delayed elections
Upon normal expiry
Number of seats at stake
Number of seats contested at the elections. Where the parliament/chamber is fully renewed, this number is usually identical to the statutory number of members. Where the parliament/chamber is partially renewed or appointed, the number of seats at stake is usually less than the total number of members.
41
Scope of elections
Scope of elections: Full renewal; Partial renewal.
Full renewal
Candidates
Total number of candidates
Total number of people who registered as candidates for election. Does not include people who stood as candidates to become "substitute members".
132
Notes
Timing of election: Upon normal expiry. According to the Constitution, Parliament is dissolved five years after the date of the first sitting (i.e., by 17 June 2015), and a general election takes place within three months of the dissolution.
The number of women candidates is not available from authoritative sources.
No
Number of parties contesting the election
This field may include either the number of parties contesting the election, or the number of coalitions/electoral alliance.
17
Voter turnout
Registration
Number of people registered to vote
1,099,279
Votes
Number of people who actually voted
734,985
Voter turnout
The percentage is calculated by dividing the number of people who actually voted by the number of people registered to vote
66.86%
Results
About the election
Short description of the context and results of the election.
The People's National Movement (PNM), led by Mr. Keith Rowley, regained power after five years in opposition, taking 23 of 41 seats at stake. The PNM led the country to independence in 1962 and held power for most of the next half century. Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar's People's Partnership (PP, see note) took the remaining 18 seats. On 9 September, Mr. Rowley was sworn in as Prime Minister.
During the election campaign, the major parties focused on social policies, measures to tackle corruption and violent crime, as well as ways to diversify the country’s oil-based economy.
Note:
The People's Partnership is a coalition comprising the Prime Minister's United National Congress-Alliance (UNC), the Congress of the People (COP), Tobago Organisation of the People (TOP) and the National Joint Action Committee (NJAC). In 2015, the UNC took 17 seats and the COP, one seat.
Number of parties winning seats
The number of parties which won parliamentary representation in the given election.
2
Percentage of parties winning seats
The percentage is calculated by dividing the number of parties which won parliamentary representation by the number of parties contesting the election.
11.76%
Percentage of seats won by largest party or coalition
The percentage is calculated by dividing the number of seats won by the largest party by the number of seats at stake in the election.
56.1%
Alternation of power after elections
The results of the elections caused a change in the government. "Not applicable" to countries using the presidential system when parliamentary and presidential elections are held separately, to countries in political transition or where there is no party system.
Yes
Names of parties in government
The government may be formed by one or more political parties
People's National Movement (PNM)
Parties or coalitions winning seats
| Political group | Total |
|---|---|
| People's National Movement (PNM) | 23 |
| People's Partnership | 18 |
Members elected, by sex
Number of men elected
29
Number of women elected
13
Percentage of women elected
The percentage is calculated by dividing the number of women elected in the election and the number of seats at stake at the election.
31.71%
Other notes
Expected date of next elections: October December 2020. Within three months after the dissolution of the House of Representatives which will serve a five-year term from the date of the first sitting.
The 'Distribution of seats' above refers to the 41 directly elected members. The 'Distribution of seats according to sex' refers to all 42 members of the House of Representatives (41 directly elected members and the Speaker). Ms. Bridgid Annisette-George, who was not one of the directly elected members, became a member of the House by virtue of her election as Speaker.
Sources
Parliament (17.09.2015, 25.09.2015)
Elections and Boundaries Commission
Women Directly Elected
12
Women Other
1
New legislature
Total number of men after the election
The total number of male parliamentarians in this parliament/chamber following the election or renewal, regardless of their modes of designation.
29
Total number of women after the election
The total number of female parliamentarians in this parliament/chamber following the election or renewal, regardless of their modes of designation.
13
Date of the first session
The date when the newly elected parliament/chamber was convened for the first time. It may be different from the date when members were sworn in.
23.09.2015
First Speaker of the new legislature
First Speaker of the new legislature
First name of the Speaker of the new legislature following the election or renewal.
Bridgid
Annisette-George
(Female)
Date of election
23.09.2015