The Fyzabad Chamber of Commerce president Angie Jairam believes the population of TT has reached the point where they are fed-up with both major parties and the "fools' promises."
Reacting to the outcome of Monday's local government elections, Jairam said, "By the low turnout of voting, all political parties and the government should go deeply into introspection and re-examine the functions and purpose in their roles and responsibilities..like employees are called upon to do from time to time."
On Tuesday, the Elections and Boundaries Commission (EBC) said the voter turnout for Monday's election was 30.34 per cent, the lowest turnout in 43 years. The turnout in 2019 was 34.71 per cent.
Jairam said with the local government election out of the way, payment of tax rebates, repairing roads and addressing social ills to the public should be done continuously and not just as inducements to the public for votes.
"The strategic moves may have increased some votes to one party, but none of the parties were able to convince or attract the large voting population with their campaign strategies. There were very little mentioned on the responsibilities of local government and its present functions."
Jairam said the campaigns did not offer solutions in matters such as building regulations and development, local environment issues, public health, local road construction, waste disposal or facilitating delivery of quality municipal services in order to contribute to sustainable socio- economic development of communities. She added that if there was, the narrative did not attract voters.
"With yet another 7-7 result, maybe the EBC has to re-examine the boundaries of districts in the wider communities in the rest of country. Now that the local government election is behind us, we look forward to the experience of good local government and rural development, the only way to attract voters."
Jairam added that she believed there must be a call for constitutional reform.
In a reaction on Wednesday, president of the Greater San Fernando Area of Chamber of Commerce Kiran Singh said if anything was won in the local government election, it was democracy.
On the low voter turnout, he said, "I think the low voter turnout speaks to the two main contenders and even the smaller parties, as to what a low voter turnout means in the next two years leading up to a general election. Is it a reflection of the public's lack of motivation and enthusiasm or lack of understanding the importance of local government?"
He applauded the Prime Minister for his statement on Monday night when he said, "Let us build a nation together."
Singh said, "I interpret that to mean all hands on deck. Local government reform is highly important and I advise all involved to maintain dialogue with the people."
[caption id="attachment_1030778" align="alignnone" width="948"] Kiran Singh -[/caption]
He extended his congratulations to the newly elected councillors and assured them that they had the chamber's support.
As for the tax refund announced
