Democratic National Assembly
Encyclopedia
The Democratic National Assembly (DNA) is a political party
in the Trinidad and Tobago
. The party is meant to serve as a "third force" is society, providing a "non-tribal" alternative to the ruling People's National Movement
and the Opposition United National Congress
. The party symbol is a flat topped pyramid
.
At present the officers in the party are, Ms Dara Healy- Chairman, Dr Meighoo- Political Leader Trinidad, Dr Colin Coker- Political Leader Tobago, Hugh Wooding Thomas- Secretary, Stephen Leonce- Strategy and Campaign Director and Anthony Pinto- Special advisor.
The party was launched in March, 2006, founded by political scientist Dr. Kirk Meighoo and businessman Anthony Pinto. It was formed after the dissolution of the Committee for Transformation and Progress headed by Meighoo, and incorporated the Civilian Oversight Organisation and other groups
At first the party was a member of the Democratic National Alliance
a coalition of minor parties under the leadership of Gerald Yetming
,then Independent, Member of Parliament
for St. Joseph
. However, in a statement on Thursday 29 June 2006, the Democratic National Assembly said "it had taken a principled decision that it will no longer be pursuing and alliance with either the National Alliance for Reconstruction (NAR) or Mr. Gerald Yetming or the Democratic Party of Trinidad and Tobago (DPTT)." effectively splitting the coalition of the three entities.
On 12 September 2006, two DNA founders,Afra Raymond and Novack George, were expelled from the party.
On October 3 2006 Meighoo resigned as a UWI lecturer to lead the DNA full time.
In the 2007 General Elections, the DNA leader Meighoo joined the UNC alliance, and fought the Chaguanas
East seat.
In the 5 November 2007 parliamentary
elections
, the party won 0.01 % and no seats.
Political party
A political party is a political organization that typically seeks to influence government policy, usually by nominating their own candidates and trying to seat them in political office. Parties participate in electoral campaigns, educational outreach or protest actions...
in the Trinidad and Tobago
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...
. The party is meant to serve as a "third force" is society, providing a "non-tribal" alternative to 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...
and the Opposition 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...
. The party symbol is a flat topped pyramid
Frustum
In geometry, a frustum is the portion of a solid that lies between two parallel planes cutting it....
.
At present the officers in the party are, Ms Dara Healy- Chairman, Dr Meighoo- Political Leader Trinidad, Dr Colin Coker- Political Leader Tobago, Hugh Wooding Thomas- Secretary, Stephen Leonce- Strategy and Campaign Director and Anthony Pinto- Special advisor.
The party was launched in March, 2006, founded by political scientist Dr. Kirk Meighoo and businessman Anthony Pinto. It was formed after the dissolution of the Committee for Transformation and Progress headed by Meighoo, and incorporated the Civilian Oversight Organisation and other groups
At first the party was a member of the Democratic National Alliance
Democratic National Alliance
The Democratic National Alliance was short lived political party in Trinidad and Tobago. It was introduced on Wednesday June 7, 2006 after its first meeting at the Crowne Plaza, Port of Spain...
a coalition of minor parties under the leadership of Gerald Yetming
Gerald Yetming
Gerald Yetming is a Trinidad and Tobago politician and businessman. Since 2002 he has served as the Member of Parliament representing the constituency of St. Joseph in the House of Representatives of Trinidad and Tobago for the Opposition United National Congress...
,then Independent, Member of Parliament
Member of Parliament
A Member of Parliament is a representative of the voters to a :parliament. In many countries with bicameral parliaments, the term applies specifically to members of the lower house, as upper houses often have a different title, such as senate, and thus also have different titles for its members,...
for St. Joseph
Saint Joseph, Trinidad and Tobago
St. Joseph is the oldest town in Trinidad and Tobago. Originally named San José de Oruña, it served as the capital of Spanish Trinidad between 1592 and 1783....
. However, in a statement on Thursday 29 June 2006, the Democratic National Assembly said "it had taken a principled decision that it will no longer be pursuing and alliance with either the National Alliance for Reconstruction (NAR) or Mr. Gerald Yetming or the Democratic Party of Trinidad and Tobago (DPTT)." effectively splitting the coalition of the three entities.
On 12 September 2006, two DNA founders,Afra Raymond and Novack George, were expelled from the party.
On October 3 2006 Meighoo resigned as a UWI lecturer to lead the DNA full time.
In the 2007 General Elections, the DNA leader Meighoo joined the UNC alliance, and fought the Chaguanas
Chaguanas
The Borough of Chaguanas is the largest municipality 2000 census) and fastest-growing town in Trinidad and Tobago. Located in Central Trinidad about south of Port of Spain. It grew in size due to its proximity to the Woodford Lodge sugar refinery. It remained a minor town until the 1980s when it...
East seat.
In the 5 November 2007 parliamentary
House of Representatives of Trinidad and Tobago
The House of Representatives is the elected Lower House of the bicameral Parliament of Trinidad and Tobago. The House of Representatives sits in the Red House in Port of Spain. It has 41 members, each elected to represent single-seat constituencies...
elections
Trinidad and Tobago general election, 2007
General elections were held in Trinidad and Tobago on 5 November 2007. Nomination day was 15 October.The parties contesting the election were the incumbent People's National Movement, the official opposition United National Congress–Alliance , the Congress of the People , the Tobago United...
, the party won 0.01 % and no seats.