PRESIDENT-ELECT Christine Kangaloo promised to serve the nation of Trinidad and Tobago with love and a belief in the people, in a brief statement after her overwhelming election on Friday by Parliament's Electoral College, where she comfortably beat the Opposition's nominee, attorney Israel Rajah Khan, SC.
"Now that the election is over, I look forward to serving our country in the only way I know how – with love for all and with an unwavering belief in the innate goodness of our people."
Kangaloo was humbled by her election as President.
"I am grateful to everyone who participated in the electoral process, and to Mr Israel Khan, SC, in particular, who graciously offered himself to serve."
She wished Khan the very best as he continued serving TT.
In light of Opposition fears of possible partisanship in her move from past politician to President, Kangaloo promised to act properly.
"I am also grateful for the healthy public discourse that has taken place about the Office of President, and the characteristics our citizens feel should be demonstrated by persons who aspire to hold the office.
[caption id="attachment_996929" align="alignnone" width="1024"] Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley votes during the Electoral College's sitting to elect TT's new President. - SUREASH CHOLAI[/caption]
"Having heard all the concerns, I commit myself to discharging the duties of the Office of President in a manner that will put those concerns to rest."
She said due to propriety, she would defer meeting the media until receiving her formal instrument of election.
"For now, I express my gratitude to the media for facilitating so effectively, the public discourse that has taken place."
Earlier, the Electoral College sat for two hours and 40 minutes in a sitting chaired by Speaker Bridgid Annisette-George.
Kangaloo received 48 votes and Khan 22, with three ballots rejected, according to a tally by House Clerk Jacqui Sampson-Meiguel.
The results showed that Kangaloo won 48 votes which corresponded to the sum of the government votes (39 votes, comprised of 23 from the House and 16 the Senate) and the nine Independent senators.
Khan's tally of 22 votes was three less than the 25 UNC MPs and senators present, the margin corresponding to three ballots rejected.
Before the vote, the Prime Minister spoke for seven minutes to support Kangaloo's nomination while Opposition Leader Kamla Persad-Bissessar spoke for Khan for nine minutes.
Dr Rowley said Kangaloo, as an assistant registrar, had once overseen the construction of the supreme court building in San Fernando, practised law, cared for her injured brother the late Justice Wendell Kangaloo, and then become a senator, minister, MP and finally Senate president.
Saying Kangaloo had acted as President on 33 occasions, Rowley proposed her as "a most worthy candidate."
Persad-Bissessar said Khan was Criminal Bar president, "He is fair and fearless, fiercely independent and strong-willed. He possesses the indispensable qualities of merit, ability and integrity which
