Patrick Manning, the leader of the PNM, in declaring victory was defiant as ever claiming the PNM "has succeeded in bridging the divide". Winston Dookeran, leader of the COP in conceding, appeared to be unsure of continuing in politics. Basdeo Panday and Jack Warner, co-leaders of UNC Alliance said they underestimated COP in their ability to split the votes.
In what is shaping up to be an issue of if Patrick Manning gains the required constitutional majority. If the PNM does retain this majority it is widely suggested that Manning will attempt to rewrite the Trinidad and Tobago constitution to include the office of Executive President. Manning would be expected to fill the role of Executive President.In election polling the PNM has won 26 seats, the UNC Alliance 15 seats, with the COP failing to pick up a single seat. Jack Warner, FIFA Vice President won the Chaguanas seat convincingly, in effect adding a new title to Warner, Member Of Parliament.
Dookeran was the first leader to speak publicly in conceding. He did state "the country was not ready for COP". He also left the press and COP faithful wondering what his future in the political landscape of Trinidad and Tobago will be. He left the future of COP with the youth of Trinidad. Dookeran as expected was highly disappointed and ask his supporters to not say that "the nation has reached it's darkest hour".
UNC Alliance on the other hand severely underestimated the pull of COP in taking votes off their plate. The quest to unify in time for the elections might have paid dividends if it did come through. Instead the animosity between the two parties is expected to increase with each blaming the other for gifting PNM victory. Panday told his Rienzi Complez supporters that COP colluded with PNM.
Manning on the other hand in a boisterous celebration at Balisier House barked in victory celebrations. Audio of the celebration was poor and video was non existent. Manning's pre election cleansing of MPs who in his opinion and opinion of his specially and privately commissioned poll was trumps as the PNM showed no signs of weakening.
A record 993,052 people registered to cast their ballots in this elections. Of that more than 550,000 turned out to vote. This was significantly lower than the last elections, when the PNM won 20 seats to the UNC's 16, out of 36 seats, in which some 605,938 (70%) of the electorate turned out.
