The Alliance For Change has taken note of the discussions and commentary in and on various media relating to its upcoming National Conference on January 28, 2017.
In a statement on Saturday, the AFC clarified one point which it says seems to predominate in the ongoing discussion, and which presents the mistaken impression that the party’s constitution excludes a leader or member from being re-elected after two terms under Article 19 (1).

Article 19 (1) of the AFC Constitution reads as follows: “The various senior positions of the AFC, including those in the National Executive, Regions and Groups ought to be rotated as far as is possible so that no member is allowed to serve more than two consecutive terms in the same office, so as to ensure a broader activism in leadership positions by the membership.”
According to the AFC, the Constitution does not make it mandatory for such rotation and leaves room for the membership to nominate or elect leaders to continue in a post for a longer period.

“The larger membership may want this recognition of the experience and expertise of certain leaders, and in the interest of the unity of the party’s leadership,” the statement noted.
It was further noted that the matter of the interpretation of the AFC Constitution is for AFC members who will freely elect and re-elect leaders.

There will be 16 contested positions at the AFC National Conference:
1. Leader
2. Chairman
3. Vice Chairman
4. General Secretary
5. National Executives (12 positions)

These positions will be filled after elections by secret ballots. The current elected members are:
Leader – Khemraj Ramjattan
Chairman – Vacant (Nigel Hughes resigned)
Vice Chairman – Moses Nagamootoo (acting Chairman)
General Secretary – David Patterson

National Executives:
1. Michael Carrington
2. Valerie Garrido-Lowe
3. Vladimir Glasgow
4. Cathy Hughes
5. Neilson McKenzie
6. Charrandas Persaud
7. Latchmin Punalall
8. Dr. Veerasammy Ramayya
9. Mark Ross
10. Abel Seetaram
11. Raphael Trotman
12. Trevor Williams

The deadline for nominations is 12 noon on Monday, January, 23, and the final list of nominees will be announced on Wednesday, January 25. The National Conference will be held at the Vreed-en-Hoop Primary School.