For the two opposition parties, it's a family feud. They are drawing support from the same constituencies. In a final appeal to the electorate Sunday night, the UNC Alliance called on Dookeran's supporters to focus on what's good for the nation and vote UNC. It said the empirical evidence shows that the Congress of the People cannot win a seat but can split the vote to guarantee a PNM victory
In emotional responses to the call for a united front, many COP supporters phoned in to radio talk shows to say that they have understood the political reality and will vote for the UNC Alliance.
"We love COP, but we love the country more," one caller said. But the COP leadership has ignored the rallying cry and insists it will win the election.
Drug trade
One of the most important issues in the election has been crime.
This tiny nation of just over one million is a trans-shipment point for drugs from Latin America. And the drug trade has created a level of crime that is unprecedented in Trinidad and Tobago's history, with 1,700 murders in the past six years and more than 300 kidnappings for ransom. A total of 292 murders have been reported this year (2007).
Voting was unusually brisk Monday morning at most polling stations, with no reports of significant irregularities. Opposition parties are hoping a high turnout will help them.
An independent election observer team from the Caribbean Community was monitoring the vote, but it has no authority to do anything to prevent any irregularities.
The Election and Boundaries Commission, the independent authority that governs the electoral process, assured that everything is in place for a free and fair vote. It said it is equipped to deal with organizational or other problems that may develop during the day.
There are more than 900,000 registered voters, and 130 candidates for the various seats in Parliament.
