Trinidad and Tobago
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.
10.08.2020
Date of dissolution of the outgoing legislature
Date at which the previous legislature (elected at the previous elections) was dissolved.
03.07.2020
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".
150
Number of male candidates
Number of male candidates
105
Number of female candidates
Number of female candidates
45
Percentage of women candidates
The percentage is calculated by dividing the number of women candidates by the total number of candidates.
30%
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.
19
Voter turnout
Registration
Number of people registered to vote
1,134,135
Votes
Number of people who actually voted
658,297
Voter turnout
The percentage is calculated by dividing the number of people who actually voted by the number of people registered to vote
58.04%
Results
About the election
Short description of the context and results of the election.
Prime Minister Keith Rowley’s People's National Movement (PNM) retained the majority in the 41-member House of Representatives, taking 3 more seats than the United National Congress (UNC), led by former Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar. On 28 August, the newly elected House of Representatives re-elected Ms. Bridgid Annisette-George (see note 1) as its Speaker, and the Senate (an appointed chamber renewed at the same time as the House) re-elected Ms. Christine Kangaloo (see note 2) as its President.
The election campaign in 2020 was overshadowed by the COVID-19 pandemic, although Trinidad and Tobago recorded a small number of cases. Key electoral issues included COVID-19 related measures and the economy. The PNM promised to continue seeking to diversify the economy by boosting energy services exports.
Note 1:
The Speaker may be designated from outside parliament. Ms. Bridgid Annisette-George, who was not a directly elected member, became a member of the House by virtue of her election as Speaker.
Note 2:
The President of the Senate may be designated from outside parliament and becomes a member of parliament by virtue of holding the office of President. Since Ms. Christine Kangaloo was designated from outside parliament, the Senate comprises a total of 32 members (31 appointed senators and the Senate President).
The election campaign in 2020 was overshadowed by the COVID-19 pandemic, although Trinidad and Tobago recorded a small number of cases. Key electoral issues included COVID-19 related measures and the economy. The PNM promised to continue seeking to diversify the economy by boosting energy services exports.
Note 1:
The Speaker may be designated from outside parliament. Ms. Bridgid Annisette-George, who was not a directly elected member, became a member of the House by virtue of her election as Speaker.
Note 2:
The President of the Senate may be designated from outside parliament and becomes a member of parliament by virtue of holding the office of President. Since Ms. Christine Kangaloo was designated from outside parliament, the Senate comprises a total of 32 members (31 appointed senators and the Senate President).
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.
10.53%
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.
53.66%
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.
No
Number of parties in government
The government may be formed by one or more political parties
1
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) | 22 |
| United National Congress (UNC) | 19 |
Members elected, by sex
Number of men elected
31
Number of women elected
10
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.
24.39%
Note on the Distribution of seats according to sex
The 'Parties or coalitions winning 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.
Other notes
Note on the timing of election:
According to the Constitution, Parliament is dissolved five years after the date of the first sitting (i.e., by 22 September 2020), and a general election takes place within three months of the dissolution.
According to the Constitution, Parliament is dissolved five years after the date of the first sitting (i.e., by 22 September 2020), and a general election takes place within three months of the dissolution.
Sources
Parliament (23.09.2020)
http://www.news.gov.tt
https://www.ebctt.com
Reuters
https://ciwil.org
https://www.caribbeannationalweekly.com
http://www.news.gov.tt
https://www.ebctt.com
Reuters
https://ciwil.org
https://www.caribbeannationalweekly.com
Women Directly Elected
10
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.
31
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.
11
First-term parliamentarians
The number of members who are assuming their parliamentary mandate for the first time following the election or renewal, regardless of their mode of designation.
7
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.
28.08.2020
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
28.08.2020