Let's now go live to Trinidad and Tobago with our correspondent Krystal Hoyte to learn more about this electoral date. Welcome, Krystal, from the south. What can you tell us?
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00:00We're now going live to Trinidad and Tobago with our correspondent Crystal Hoyte to learn more of this electoral date.
00:07Welcome Crystal to From the South. What can you tell us of this important day in Trinidad and Tobago?
00:14Well, good morning. It is election day in Trinidad and Tobago and voters have been lining up outside polling stations
00:21from as early as 6 this morning to cast their ballots in what many are calling a historic January election
00:28at a pivotal time in the country's political journey.
00:32With crime and economic concerns at the forefront, voters are making choices that will shape the future of this Twin Island Republic.
00:39Now, the United National Congress, UNC, led by Kamala Prasad-Bissessor,
00:43faces off against the ruling People's National Movement, PNM, under Prime Minister Stuart Young.
00:48If you recall, Prime Minister Young was appointed in March 2025, succeeding Dr. Keith Rowley.
00:54And while the UNC and PNM remain the two major forces in this race, a number of third parties are also gaining ground,
01:02hoping to shift the balance of power.
01:04Now, just moments ago at International School of Port of Spain, Prime Minister Young voted,
01:09and he spoke to the media shortly after, describing it as a seamless process and one that he hopes will remain throughout the day.
01:17He's also confident that he will retain his seat, and not just retain it, but retain it with record numbers.
01:28Chris, how has been the turnout? Have people come out en masse to vote, or is it going slow?
01:35It is currently quite slow.
01:38Where we are here in Port of Spain, we haven't seen that uptick in numbers as expected,
01:43but it's still very early in the morning.
01:48What do you think are the main concerns for people as they go and vote and decide
01:52who's going to be the leaders of the country for coming years?
01:56Well, the two main issues will be the economy, as well as the crime situation here in Trinidad and Tobago,
02:04and that's been top of mind from the voters that we've spoken to.
02:08Thank you very much, Chris.
02:09We're going to stay in touch for our upcoming news brief.
02:12We'll see you soon.