00:00He may be on his way out, but it appears that Arima Mayor Ballyram Maharaj is not leaving just yet.
00:07Contacted for a comment about his pending resignation, Mayor of Arima Ballyram Maharaj told TV6 News
00:15he's not in a position to comment as he first needs to speak with the political leader of the PNM
00:21on the matter.
00:22However, speaking with TV6 News earlier today, Beckel said it's a done deal.
00:29When this matter first came up, I dealt with it immediately.
00:33I had a meeting with the Mayor of Arima and we discussed the matter.
00:38The Mayor indicated that when he accepted the position as Mayor, it was for a period of two years.
00:45We chatted about it so that I know that based on dealing with it internally, the Mayor has given his
00:52commitment
00:53and so we should see an effective resignation within the short time.
00:57The development comes on the heels of cause by former PNM General Secretary Ashton Ford
01:03to have Maharaj removed for using his mayoral platform to advance his personal interests.
01:10Maharaj also came in for criticism last year after attending a UNC function.
01:15He was appointed and sworn in as the 46th Mayor of Arima in September of 2023.
01:22According to the Municipal Corporations Act, in the event of the death, resignation, removal or disqualification of the mayor for
01:32any cause,
01:33the deputy mayor shall forthwith succeed to the office of mayor.
01:37Do you want to tip us as to who will be the new mayor?
01:40No, I will not.
01:42Meantime, Beckles reports that preparations for local government elections are in full swing.
01:48Well, we invited nominations and nominations actually closed on Tuesday of this week.
01:55And we have had several nominations from several constituencies.
01:59Of course, at this time, we are focusing on the electoral districts where we do not have sitting councillors.
02:06So the screening process would start relatively soon.
02:09Which particular districts are you all heavily focused on?
02:13Well, if you have lost seven corporations, you would imagine that that would be one.
02:20Those are corporations, of course, you would pay attention to.
02:22But at the same time, if you're having elections, your responsibility is to pay attention to all corporations,
02:28not to take it for granted at all, as it relates to any corporations, that is going to be an
02:33easy election.
02:33I mean, we are coming out of, as you would realize, having lost general elections,
02:38so that we know that we have to put in place all that is necessary to put forward the best
02:45possible candidates to ensure victory.
02:47The PNM and the UNC hold seven corporations each.
02:52Meantime, a committee has been set up to review electoral boundaries,
02:56and the Minister of Local Government confirms that a draft report is ready.
03:01The opposition is eagerly awaiting the findings.
03:05So we are eagerly awaiting because we want to know what is the role, of course,
03:09of the Elections and Boundaries Commission in this matter,
03:12who ultimately will have responsibility for that and for the government bringing to Parliament
03:17for some sort of debate on that matter.
03:20So we await the findings of the committee,
03:23and you can be assured that we will be ready for a debate.
03:27Renasa Cutting, TV6 News.
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