Trinidad and Tobago
House of Representatives
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Political system
Political systems: Presidential, Parliamentary, Presidential-Parliamentary, Monarchy, Communist, Transitional.
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Parliamentary system
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Structure of parliament
Structure of parliament: Unicameral, bicameral
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Bicameral
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IPU membership
Current membership status
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Yes
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
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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.
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10 Aug 2020
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Date of dissolution of the outgoing legislature
Date at which the previous legislature (elected at the previous elections) was dissolved.
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03 Jul 2020
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Timing of election
Timing of election: Upon normal expiry; Early elections; Delayed elections
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Early elections
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Expected date of next elections
The expected date at which the next elections should take place, based on law or practice.
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31 Aug 2025
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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.
View field in the data dictionary -
41
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Scope of elections
Scope of elections: Full renewal; Partial renewal.
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Full renewal
Candidates
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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.
View field in the data dictionary -
19
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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".
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150
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Number of male candidates
Number of male candidates
View field in the data dictionary -
105
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Number of female candidates
Number of female candidates
View field in the data dictionary -
45
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Percentage of women candidates
The percentage is calculated by dividing the number of women candidates by the total number of candidates.
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30.0%
Voter turnout
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Registered voters
Number of people registered to vote
View field in the data dictionary -
1,134,135
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Voters
Number of people who actually voted
View field in the data dictionary -
658,297
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Voter turnout
The percentage is calculated by dividing the number of people who actually voted by the number of people registered to vote
View field in the data dictionary -
58.0%
Results
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About the election
Short description of the context and results of the election.
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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).
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Number of parties winning seats
The number of parties which won parliamentary representation in the given election.
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2
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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.
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10.5%
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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.
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53.7%
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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.
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No
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Number of parties in government
The government may be formed by one or more political parties
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1
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Names of parties in government
The government may be formed by one or more political parties
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People’s National Movement (PNM)
Parties or coalitions winning seats
Political group | Total |
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People's National Movement (PNM) | 22 |
United National Congress (UNC) | 19 |
Members elected, by sex
- Number of men elected
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31
- Number of women elected
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10
Notes: 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.
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Percentage of women elected
The percentage is calculated by dividing the number of women elected by the number of seats filled.
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24.4%
- Women Directly Elected
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10
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Women in other categories
For example, ex-officio members of parliament, such as Cabinet members, members of the royal family, Attorney General, Speaker if appointed from outside parliament
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1
- Other notes on the elections
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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.
- Sources
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Parliament (23.09.2020)
Reuters
New legislature
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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.
View field in the data dictionary -
31
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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.
View field in the data dictionary -
11
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Percentage of women after the election
The percentage is calculated by dividing the total number of women in this parliament/chamber by the current number of members.
View field in the data dictionary -
26.2%
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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.
View field in the data dictionary -
7
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Percentage of first-term parliamentarians
The percentage is calculated by dividing the number of first-term parliamentarians by the number of seats at stake in the election.
View field in the data dictionary -
16.7%
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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.
View field in the data dictionary -
28 Aug 2020
First Speaker of the new legislature
- Personal details for the first Speaker of the new legislature
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Bridgid Annisette-George (Female)
Date of birth: 1958 -
Date of election
The date of the election of the Speaker may be different from the date of the first session of the new legislature.
View field in the data dictionary -
28 Aug 2020