The People's National Party (PNP) has failed to keep its pledge to roll out its full slate of candidates for the next general election, constitutionally due in October 2007, by the end of the year.

Campaign Director Dr. Paul Robertson told journalists in November that the party would name its last two candidates for the South East St. Ann and West Portland constituencies by mid-December after a series of consultations.

However, earlier this week, PNP Chairman Robert Pickersgill said the party would select representatives for South East St. Ann and West Portland in early 2007.

According to Mr. Pickersgill, several persons have expressed an interest in representing the party in both constituencies.

On November 26, party President Portia Simpson Miller announced 58 of the 60 constituency representatives at a meeting of the PNP's National Executive Council at the Jamaica Conference Centre, downtown Kingston.

Assamba resignation

Aloun Assamba, sitting MP for South East St. Ann, had informed party officials that she had no intention of representing the party in the next general election. Her decision came after persistent calls for her resignation by PNP supporters who felt she had failed to provide adequate representation for the people of the constituency.

In West Portland, current MP Errol Ennis had indicated that he would be leaving representational politics. Doreen Forbes, who was tipped to run on the party's ticket, eventually pulled out of the race.