By RIA TAITT Tuesday, May 29 2007

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MAXI AND MUSTAPHA: Former newspaper editor Maxi Cuffie, left, and Minister of Science, Technology and Tertiary Education, Senator Mustapha Abdul-Hamid...

Science and Tertiary Education Minister Mustapha Abdul-Hamid was due to be screened last night for the Chaguanas East constituency while former media personality Maxie Cuffie was due to be screened for the La Horquetta/Talparo seat. Both nominees are expected to find favour with the PNM’s screening committee and the screening process is thought to be a mere formality.

The PNM has a deficit of 1,200 votes, based on the voting patterns from the 2002 General Election Chaguanas East (formerly Chaguanas) while La Horquetta/Talparo seat (formerly Arima) is a safe seat based on the same voting patterns.

Previous nominees for Chaguanas East and La Horquetta/Talparo were not approved as candidates by the screening committee and both executives were sent back to search for other aspirants. Ian Alleyne, president of the Chaguanas Anti-Crime Association (and brother of Danah Alleyne, 15, who became headline news for a sexually explicit dance with hip hop star Akon at Club Zen in April) , Frank Lee Seyon and Foster Cummings were among the previous nominees.

All 41 constituencies have gone through the process of choosing nominees in keeping with the mandate given by political leader Patrick Manning that they be prepared by May 31. Manning has thus far only called for nominations for 25 constituencies, those which are new or which are currently held by the Opposition.

All the nominees for these constituencies — with the exception of Toco/Sangre Grande and Arouca/Maloney — have been screened. Sources were wondering why there has been no screening — and not even a date set for screening — for the Arouca/Maloney constituency where Planning and Development Minister Camille Robinson-Regis is the only nominee. Sources said even before her embarrassing slip-up, involving the use of the Government-issued credit care for private purposes, suggestions had been made to Robinson-Regis that she should stand down and not accept a nomination. However, the minister, has maintained her interest in being considered as a candidate and has accepted the nomination.

Sources speculated that no date had been set for screening for the Toco/Sangre Grande seat because the leadership is interested in having former UNC temporary senator Anil Juteram contest a PNM ticket.