The results of the St. Joseph by-election in Trinidad [1] have come in and – just as in the recently concluded Local Government Elections [2] – the opposition People's National Movement [3] has emerged victorious. The seat was previously held by former Justice Minister Herbert Volney [4] of the People's Partnership [5] coalition government. Twitter [6] and Facebook have both seen netizen commentary about the outcome.
Early on, journalist @john_yearwood [7] wondered if people were calling the seat too quickly:
#PNM [8] celebrating by-election win in #Trinidad [9].Some not so sure it's over. What u think? #stjoseph [10]. @wgibbings [11] @CNC3TV [12] @tv6tnt [13]
— John Yearwood (@john_yearwood) November 5, 2013 [14]
Eldwin Baptiste [15] was convinced that the PNM would hold on to its lead:
We got a winner #PNM [8] #UNC [16] #ILP [17] is wetting after wetting #ByElection [18] #StJoseph [19] @tv6tnt [13] @CNC3TV [12] @cnewslive [20] #PNMvictory [21] pic.twitter.com/y0Z7GBcgMJ [22]
— eldwin baptiste (@porkman1986) November 5, 2013 [23]
Even before the official results were announced, the Ccn Tvnews Facebook page [24] felt secure enough in its sources to post that:
PNM Candidate Terrence Deyalsingh wins the St. Joseph By-Election: PNM 6308 votes; ILP 1986 votes; UNC 5605; IND 303 votes; DNA 9 votes. (53 of 53 stations) Source: Solution By Simulation
Much of the reader commentary on that post referred to the “wetting” [25] that government's candidate Ian Alleyne promised his political rivals. Denecia J S Boodoo [26] said:
ian[‘s] wetting after wetting has back fire[d] on him
The official results that were released later that night confirmed the early trends [27]. An official statement from the Elections and Boundaries Commission noted that [28] the opposition's candidate led the government's by 779 votes; just over 50% of the eligible population voted.
The PNM's official Facebook page, which changed its cover photo [29] in anticipation of the by-election, wasted no time in celebrating the win [30]:
Congratulations to Terrance Deyalsingh MP for St. Joseph.
Thank you for leading the way to the next General Elections!!
Impact on Governance [31] soon quoted the opposition leader, Dr. Keith Rowley, in this tweet [32]:
This #Government [33] has no mandate to continue to govern #Trinidad [9] and #Tobago [34]. Dr. Keith Rowley. #TTPolitics [35] #byelection [36] #StJoseph [19]
— Impact on Governance (@IOGTTProject) November 5, 2013 [37]
The government wasn't quite prepared to admit defeat, though, seeing that its losing candidate came in at what some supporters thought was a strong second place. According to the C News Live Facebook page [38], Alleyne himself noted that:
“In 10 days time I have done a lot. What it takes some MPs 5 years I did in 10 days…”
Facebook user Patricia Worrell was not surprised [39] at the government's reaction:
So! PNM won!
Waiting for KPB to come and ‘explain’ to us why it's really a UNC victory!
Finally, the memes started coming, with one of the most blunt referring to the then-teenager at the centre of this controversial story [40], who happens to be Ian Alleyne's sister:
Meme by Trini Public Sector Comics – www.facebook.com/trinicomics