If an election were held now and the UNC candidate is David Nakhid, the PNM’s Esmond Forde will handily win re-election. The choice of UNC candidate may not matter in the contest as Forde is very likable and popular among constituents. Voters say he is perhaps the most popular among all candidates in the so-called marginal seats. And he is also the most popular representatives in parliament from both sides of the aisle. Very few constituents give him a negative rating. Even those who plan to vote for UNC or some other political party, give Forde a positive or satisfactory rating for his performance as a parliamentary representative. Constituents and even people from outside his constituency say he is down to earth and presents himself as a commoner. Even UNC present and former representatives give him a thumbs up for his personality, saying he is perhaps the most affable MP. The above are the findings from a survey conducted in October in the battleground constituency, assuring the incumbent a victory in the next general election due by next November.
The survey, conducted by Dr. Vishnu Bisram of NACTA, interviewed respondents that represent the ethnic and religious demographics of the constituency.
Based on the findings of the survey, the PNM’s Forde leads the UNC 45% to 35% with less than a percent for other parties and the remainder undecided or unwilling to answer their party or candidate choice. It would take a lot of doing among the opposition like uniting all the disparate forces to unseat the popular incumbent.
Forde is described as constituency or people centered and very likable. He has been an effective representative over the last nine years, addressing people’s concerns and complaints, among a few MPs to do so nationally. Respondents say he is down to earth and is known to interact with people of all political persuasions. He is known to attend events or programs of all ethnicities and religious groups or constituents. He has had a presence at wakes, funerals, festivals, family events. Constituents say he is known to go out of his way to meet people and interact with them even if critical of him. He is known to invite people at his office and home, and he reaches out to people to query about their issues and assist where possible. He facilitates people as much as possible. He has been doing a lot of infrastructure work and providing housing in his constituency.
Because of his personality and performance as a MP, he is on course to re-election.
