Trinidad and Tobago general election, 1995
Encyclopedia
Early general elections were held in Trinidad and Tobago
on 6 November 1995, after the ruling People's National Movement
had seen its majority reduced to a single seat due to a defection and a lost by-election. The results saw the PNM and the United National Congress
both won 17 seats. Although they had received fewer votes, the UNC was able to form a coalition with the two-seat National Alliance for Reconstruction
, allowing UNC leader Basdeo Panday
to become the country's first Prime Minister of Indian descent. Voter turnout was 63.3%.
Trinidad and Tobago
Trinidad and Tobago officially the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago is an archipelagic state in the southern Caribbean, lying just off the coast of northeastern Venezuela and south of Grenada in the Lesser Antilles...
on 6 November 1995, after the ruling People's National Movement
People's National Movement
The People's National Movement is the present-day opposition political party in Trinidad and Tobago. Founded in 1955 by Eric Williams, it won the 1956 General Elections and went on to hold power for an unbroken 30 years. After the death of Williams in 1981 George Chambers led the party...
had seen its majority reduced to a single seat due to a defection and a lost by-election. The results saw the PNM and the United National Congress
United National Congress
The United National Congress is one of the two major political parties in the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago and one of the parties in the current ruling coalition. It was founded by Basdeo Panday, a lawyer and former trade unionist. The UNC was formed as the result of a split in the ruling...
both won 17 seats. Although they had received fewer votes, the UNC was able to form a coalition with the two-seat National Alliance for Reconstruction
National Alliance for Reconstruction
The National Alliance for Reconstruction was the governing party in Trinidad and Tobago between 1986 and 1991.-History:The party was established in 1986, aiming to be a multi-racial party...
, allowing UNC leader Basdeo Panday
Basdeo Panday
Basdeo Panday was the 5th Prime Minister of Trinidad and Tobago from 1995 to 2001 and has served as Leader of the Opposition from 1976–1977, 1978–1986, 1989–1995 and 2001–2010. He was first elected to Parliament in 1976 as the Member for Couva North. He is the former...
to become the country's first Prime Minister of Indian descent. Voter turnout was 63.3%.
Results
| Party | Votes | % | Seats | +/- |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| People's National Movement People's National Movement The People's National Movement is the present-day opposition political party in Trinidad and Tobago. Founded in 1955 by Eric Williams, it won the 1956 General Elections and went on to hold power for an unbroken 30 years. After the death of Williams in 1981 George Chambers led the party... |
256,159 | 48.8 | 17 | |
| United National Congress United National Congress The United National Congress is one of the two major political parties in the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago and one of the parties in the current ruling coalition. It was founded by Basdeo Panday, a lawyer and former trade unionist. The UNC was formed as the result of a split in the ruling... |
240,372 | 45.8 | 17 | |
| National Alliance for Reconstruction National Alliance for Reconstruction The National Alliance for Reconstruction was the governing party in Trinidad and Tobago between 1986 and 1991.-History:The party was established in 1986, aiming to be a multi-racial party... |
24,983 | 4.8 | 2 | 0 |
| Movement for Unity and Progress Movement for Unity and Progress The Movement for Unity and Progress was a political party in Trinidad and Tobago. It contested the 1995 general elections, but received just 0.4% of the national vote and failed to win a seat. The party did not contest any further elections.... |
2,123 | 0.4 | 0 | New |
| Natural Law Party Natural Law Party (Trinidad and Tobago) The National Law Party was a political party in Trinidad and Tobago. It contested the 1995 general elections, but received just 0.3% of the national vote and failed to win a seat. The party did not contest any further elections.... |
1,590 | 0.3 | 0 | New |
| National Transformation Party National Transformation Party (Trinidad and Tobago) The National Transformation Party was a political party in Trinidad and Tobago. It contested the 1995 general elections, but received just 83 votes and failed to win a seat. The party did not contest any further elections.... |
83 | 0.0 | 0 | New |
| People's Voice Party People's Voice Party (Trinidad and Tobago) The People's Voice Party was a political party in Trinidad and Tobago. It contested the 1995 general elections, but received just 16 votes and failed to win a seat. The party did not contest any further elections.... |
16 | 0.0 | 0 | New |
| Invalid/blank votes | 4,985 | – | – | – |
| Total | 530,311 | 100 | 36 | 0 |
| Source: Nohlen | ||||